Earlier this year, BT announced that it would close all BT Redcare alarm monitoring operations on 1 August 2025. The closure will impact all intruder and fire alarm systems that use a BT Redcare product to signal activations, which is estimated to affect over 100,000 customers.
Anyone using BT Redcare services will need to switch to an alternative service provider by the cut-off date.
What is BT Redcare?
BT Redcare is a secure form of alarm monitoring. The service continuously monitors via a BT telephone line that links a professionally installed alarm system (fire or security) to an alarm receiving centre (ARC).
BT Redcare is one of the UK’s largest remote monitoring providers.
BT Redcare and insurance
Many property insurance policies, particularly those covering commercial buildings, depend on installing an approved alarm system. The BT Redcare system is insurance-approved and one of the most widely used in the UK, so many insurance policies could be invalidated following the closure.
Insurers will require a like-for-like replacement, most likely installed by a company regulated by the National Security Inspectorate (NIS) or the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB). Also, the new system must be maintained annually according to standards set out by the NSI or the SSAIB.
What should you do next?
If your alarm system uses a BT Redcare product or you’re unsure what monitoring you have, contact your alarm company to discuss your options. The replacement system will need to be of a comparative grading with the BT Redcare system, most likely a DP2 or DP3 grade, but your alarm company can advise you.
If you’re a Tamar Security customer and use BT Redcare, you don’t need to do anything. We’ll be in touch to provide information on our upgrade programme in plenty of time before the cut-off. If you’re not an existing Tamar Security customer but have concerns or questions regarding your alarm monitoring system, please get in touch.