The paper describes an application pilot experiment being carried out under the European Communities' RACE programme. The experiment centres on the electronic security industry, in particular the remote monitoring of alarm signals. The aim of the project is to reduce the waste of resources caused by the high number of ‘false’ alarm calls and to introduce the users of remote signalling systems to the benefits of improving communications technology. The paper summarises the problem and presents a scenario for introducing the users of basic signalling systems to a wider variety of potential services that can be provided in an integrated broadband communications environment.