Telecommunications giant BT has delayed the closure of its alarm signalling subsidiary, BT Redcare, from the beginning of August until 15th December 2025. BT Redcare said this was “to allow more time for Redcare’s customers to upgrade or cease critical alarm systems.” Its staff levels will be reducing as it winds down in the period up to 15th December but a technical help desk and reduced support team will be available to help answer customer questions.
For those that remain on BT Redcare legacy connections that rely on the analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) the price will increase by 50% on 1st September 2025. The aging PSTN is due to be completely switched off by BT on 31st January 2027 and it has urged businesses to migrate to digital IP connections by the end of December 2025 to safeguard services. In an update earlier this year BT reminded companies that this was not just about phone calls, anything connected to the lines, including door entry systems and alarms, would be impacted.
The closure of BT Redcare was announced in February 2024 and there were concerns then within the security industry about the high numbers of alarm upgrades that would be required. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) estimated that approximately 120,000 live systems would be impacted but estimated that 90,000 were legacy products, reliant on the PSTN, that would have needed to be upgraded anyway.
BT Redcare launched a collaboration last year 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. AddSecure and BT Redcare also said they would prioritise the transition from legacy to digital devices.
If you still have Redcare Classic, GSM, or Secure, which are legacy systems, then you should take immediate action to avoid higher prices as well as to ensure your premises will still be protected and your alarm system continues to have connection with an ARC. This gives organisations and individuals the opportunity to consider alternative IoT alarm signalling providers, such as CSL.
Both of the main intruder alarm partners of Ecl-ips, Orisec and HKC Security, manufacture control panels that offer single and dual path signalling solutions so that the alarm systems have 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. We have NSI Gold certification, while our Bristol-based subsidiary, Security Group, is certified by the SSAIB. This gives customers of both companies peace of mind that they will receive high standards of service.
If you 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 offer, please get in touch to find out more.