BT Redcare has closed. Which alternative is right for you?
BT formally closed its Redcare signalling service on 15 December 2025, and the UK’s wider PSTN (analogue phone) network is being switched off nationally by 31 January 2027. If your alarm relied on it, you have two genuinely different replacement approaches worth understanding before you choose - here’s how CSL DualCom and AMCO LiveTalk compare.
Not a straight upgrade path - a real choice
DualCom is a “silent” dual-path signalling upgrade - it replaces the old Redcare communicator with something equally reliable, just modern. LiveTalk adds two-way audio verification on top of dual-path monitoring. Neither is objectively “better”; they suit different priorities.
Silent dual-path signalling
CSL DualCom
GradeShift Pro maintains two independent communication channels - typically internet plus GSM - with automatic failover between them. It's DP-rated (DP3/DP4), the signalling grade most UK insurers require for Grade 3 monitoring, and it includes Catastrophic Failure Reporting, which alerts the alarm receiving centre the moment both channels are down.
- Two channels (e.g. broadband + GSM) with automatic failover
- DP3/DP4-rated - meets Grade 3 insurance monitoring requirements
- Catastrophic Failure Reporting if both paths fail
- A straightforward, like-for-like replacement for an old Redcare unit
Best for
Someone who just wants their alarm reliably signalling again, at the grade their insurer requires.
Audio-verified monitoring
AMCO LiveTalk
LiveTalk adds two-way audio to the mix - when an alarm activates, a real monitoring operator can listen into the property and speak directly to whoever is there, via a speaker/microphone unit. It's also available in a dual-path configuration, so it isn't a step down from DualCom's redundancy - it's dual-path signalling plus verification on top.
- Two-way audio: operators listen and speak into the property live
- Genuine crime confirmation before escalating to police
- Available with dual-path signalling too - not silent-only
- Challenges intruders directly, often before anything is taken
Best for
Someone who wants a faster, verified response - not just a signal reaching the monitoring centre.
These aren’t mutually exclusive. LiveTalk’s dual-path configuration means you can have DualCom-grade signalling redundancy and two-way audio verification on the same system.
| Feature | CSL DualCom | AMCO LiveTalk |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-path signalling | Yes (e.g. internet + GSM) | Yes, available as an option |
| Two-way audio verification | No - silent signalling only | Yes - listen & speak live |
| DP3/DP4 insurance grade | Yes | Yes (dual-path configuration) |
| Catastrophic Failure Reporting | Yes | Reported via the dual-path channel |
| Typical fit | Replacing a Redcare communicator like-for-like | Upgrading to a faster, verified response |
Not sure which fits your property?
Tell us what's currently fitted and we'll recommend DualCom, LiveTalk, or both - no pressure either way.
Ready to move ahead?
Once you know which approach fits, here’s where to go next.
Frequently asked questions
Talk to our team
Still not sure which is right for you?
Give us a call and we’ll talk through your existing system and recommend DualCom, LiveTalk, or both - no obligation.
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