If I do not have a monitoring contract and no wireless....

Hi jschatz27,

Your SimpliSafe system does communicate over local wireless, but that connection is only between the Base Station and the sensors.

To connect with the smartphone app (and your online account at Simplisafe.com), the system can use either its built-in cell, or your home's WiFi.
The built-in cell is activated as part of your Monitoring Service. So you'll need to subscribe to monitoring service (for example, the $24.99 Interactive Monitoring Plan) to enable it.
If you'd prefer not to have Monitoring, you'll want to set up WiFi in your home for the system to connect to.

- Johnny M.
SimpliSafe Home Security

@Johnny M.
Are you saying that the app and all functionality with it are usable as long as the user is on the same wireless network as the base?
You first say: "Your SimpliSafe system does communicate over local wireless, but that connection is only between the Base Station and the sensors."
Then you say: "If you'd prefer not to have Monitoring, you'll want to set up WiFi in your home for the system to connect to."  
That second statement, to me, implies "self monitoring" functionality over wifi.  I do not have a SS3 system, so just trying to clarify.

Hi hondaman88,

To expand a bit, if you have a Gen 3 system, the Base Station connects to your WiFi, then to our website, and then the app. So a wireless LAN without an internet connection wouldn't work.

But yes, even without a subscription, a Gen 3 system can be connected to the app with almost full features - including Smart Alerts for alarms and errors, and app controls. Some features, like a full year of Timeline event logs, and smart home integrations, would still need Interactive Monitoring.

- Johnny M.
SimpliSafe Home Security