The closure of BT Redcare is likely to have widespread implications. If you have a BT Redcare alarm service, central station monitoring will stop on 1 August 2025. Anyone with monitored electronic systems, such as automatic fire and security systems that use a BT Redcare signalling product will need to make alternative arrangements before the cut-off date.
What is BT Redcare?
BT Redcare is a monitored alarm system that runs on a standard analogue BT phone line, it works by sending an alert to the property owner and/or the appropriate emergency services in the event of an alarm being triggered. Many insurers have recommended BT Redcare to clients as its signalling solutions comply with British and European Standards for fire alarm signalling up to grade 4, the highest level of protection.
Why is this change occurring?
The analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is currently being phased out and phone lines upgraded to digital lines. Alarm signalling systems such as BT Redcare that previously utilised traditional analogue phone lines must transition to a digital Internet Protocol (IP) network.
What do I need to do?
Central service monitoring can be a home insurance or business insurance policy condition– particularly if you live in a high value property or have high value contents. If this affects you, you should ACT NOW! BT Redcare is the UK’s largest remote monitoring provider, so the decision to withdraw its Redcare signalling service from 1 August 2025 will mean thousands of people must find an alternative solution.
Although there is ample time to make the required changes, we recommend Redcare customers – and any other analogue customer that need to move to an all-IP system – act sooner rather than later. With few potential alternative suppliers able to supply the required performance level there’s a risk of installation bottlenecks, product shortages, and possibly increased prices as the 1st August 2025 deadline approaches.
Given the criticality of alarm systems to insurance cover, it’s very important that if this situation affects you, the replacement service you choose provides a like-for-like performance level that is acceptable to insurers.
How can we help?
We are aware that this will impact many of our commercial and private clients currently using BT Redcare. Some clients already have plans in place with an alternative provider, but many still need to find out what other options are available.
If you have any questions about the impact on your insurance, just get in touch with your usual Wilsons contact and our team will be happy to help.
Whilst 1st August 2025 feels a long way off, we encourage you to act now. Don’t delay and risk losing your monitored alarm systems, leaving your property exposed.