Alarm signalling is changing

The upgrade to digital phone lines has already started.  You can see which exchange areas are already moving to all-IP here. These exchange areas have stop sell notifications issued which means that new supply of, and changes to, existing PSTN phone lines are heavily restricted where fibre is available. Forward-thinking homes and businesses are running their alarm signalling over the IP and/ or mobile network with our Next Generation portfolio.

Alarm signalling providers need to start moving their customers to all-IP compatible signalling solutions ready for the PSTN shut down in 2025.  Providers need to act now to ensure its customers have continued connectivity into the future.

The all-IP network will send voice calls and alarm signals the same way as data traffic. It’ll be more reliable and much easier to maintain, so customers get a better service. It also means they’ll no longer need to pay call charges for signalling. So the sooner they switch, the sooner they can save.

The upgrade is all part of BT Group’s wider investment in the country. Along with full-fibre broadband and 5G networks, it’ll help unlock the UK’s digital potential, benefitting all of us.

Despite what its name suggests, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) doesn’t just handle calls. It also carries alarm signals from customers’ premises to their ARCs. So when customers migrate to a digital phone service, all alarm systems that dial out using the PSTN will stop working. Check out our video here on the move to all-IP.

Communication providers are contacting their customers now. Those that have been identified as having a special service, such as alarm signalling, will be asked to contact their alarm service provider before the switchover. So you can expect a call from your customer. Where an alarm service is not identified then the switchover could still take place possibly leaving the site at risk. So this is why it's important to get ahead of the digital upgrade.

Yes, we have produced various materials for ARCs and Installers to utilise, these include a video explaining what the move to all-IP is about and flyers explaining what will happen. We are working with alarm installers to assist in getting this message to their customers. Please use the form below to contact us to get more information about these and to find out how we can help you.

We have introduced a range of six products that cover all grades and technologies, they range from SP2 to DP4 with a variety of connectivity options and price ranges that suit all levels of risk. They all benefit from our 10-year warranty, 24/7 UK based helpdesk and UDL functionality. Our NGP products all work with our portal or APP and have the benefit of 90 days free or billed on activation (except the Ultimate) to allow customers to maintain stock and therefore react faster to customer or site requirements.

All of our Next Generation alarm signalling systems with a fixed connection use IP, but that’s not the only option. Essential and Essential Extra are completely wireless, connecting to the ARC over superfast 4G.

While the 3G network is also expected to shut down in 2022 our 4G alarm signalling systems will be unaffected. Keeping your customers protected for years to come.

Essential IP has wi-fi built in so can connect wirelessly to your customers broadband hub.

Our Advanced, Advanced Extra and Ultimate systems use both IP and 4G for true dual-path resilience.

We’ve more than 35 years’ experience in the security industry. We’ve developed all of our alarm signalling systems in partnership with ARCs, installers, homeowners and businesses. And we’ve designed them to be future-ready, working over 4G, IP or a combination of the two.

All of our products work straight out of the box. Just power them up and they’ll start to connect. Push-button programming and easy-to-read OLED displays make configuring easy. Saving you time and effort.

If that wasn’t enough, all of our signals are underpinned by our UK network with 99.99% availability. And come with 24/7 support.

Many of them also come with no upfront costs. And we guarantee to repair or replace any faulty unit for free for 10 years.

View our entire product portfolio here.

Secure 2, 3 and Fire units do have an IP option built in so can be converted to IP as a primary path and 2G/3G secondary.

BT Redcare are working with alarm installers to assist in getting this message out to customers. This is a dedicated page for the move to all-IP and you are welcome to direct your customers to this page.  If you have a specific requirement, please contact us using the form below. The more people who are letting customers know about the change the less likely there will be a loss of alarm signalling for a customer when the move to the digital phone service takes place.

Your customers will be contacted by their Communications Provider in advance of any change to service, they are also likely to be advised by their Alarm installer who is maintaining and monitoring their system, however if they do not make a change to the alarm signalling there will be a potential risk after moving to the digital voice service.

Openreach will serve the areas with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or SoGEA. It will be the Communication Provider’s responsibility to ensure their customers are made aware of the switch over and make the changes that they specifically need based on individual home or business requirements, within the timelines announced.

Openreach have committed to building FTTP to 25 million premises by December 2026. In the meantime, Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) which will become SoGEA on migration is already available to over 95% of the UK and gives at least part fibre with its much-improved speeds and bandwidth. Please click here for the map of FTTP in the UK.

Openreach will serve the areas with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or SoGEA. It will be the Communication Provider’s responsibility to ensure their customers are made aware of the switch over and make the changes that they specifically need based on individual home or business requirements, within the timelines announced.

Openreach have committed to building FTTP to 25 million premises by December 2026. In the meantime, Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) which will become SoGEA on migration is already available to over 95% of the UK and gives at least part fibre with its much-improved speeds and bandwidth. Please click here for the map of FTTP in the UK.