It is now fast approaching the date of the closure of BT Redcare. The company, which historically is the UK’s largest provider of alarm signalling, ceases operations on 1st August 2025.
Last year BT Redcare launched a collaboration with the Swedish company, AddSecure. This means when Redcare’s operations cease, the IoT technology supplier will step in as a partner to take on the responsibility of managing customer relationships with alarm receiving centres (ARCs) using BT Redcare’s newer digital alarm signalling devices.
However, if you still have Redcare Classic, GSM, or Secure, which are legacy devices reliant on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), then you need to take immediate action to ensure your premises will still be protected and your alarm system continues to have connection with an ARC. The PSTN will be switched off by BT on 31st January 2027.
While AddSecure and BT Redcare said it would prioritise the transition from legacy to digital devices it also gives organisations and individuals the opportunity to consider alternative IoT alarm signalling providers such as CSL. Both of the main intruder alarm partners of Security Group, Orisec and HKC Security, manufacture control panels that offer dual-path signalling solutions so that the alarm systems have effective ARC monitoring. Orisec is a CSL Connected partner, which allows us to offer full communication with the ARC and access to Orisec’s Control Plus app.
Advice from insurer Aviva last year stated that a product comparable to Redcare Classic or GSM would be a dual path Alarm Transmissions device meeting signalling category DP3. The insurer said that any dual path ATS certified as meeting the latest adopted version of alarm standard, BS EN 50136, and performing at DP3, would be accepted by Aviva as a like-for-like replacement. This would include a product such as CSL Dualcom Gradeshift Pro DP3.
To be properly insured it is advisable that any replacement intruder alarm system should be installed by a company accredited by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB). They will also need to have a maintenance contract with companies certified by the NSI or SSAIB.
Bristol-based Security Group is certified by the SSAIB, while its parent company, the Worcestershire security and monitoring solutions specialist Ecl-ips, has NSI Gold certification giving customers of both companies peace of mind.
If you are based in south west England and need an intruder alarm upgrade, or are affected by the closure of BT Redcare and would like to know more about the alternative alarm signalling options we can offer, please get in touch to find out more.
