How to replace your BT Redcare alarm communicator
BT closed Redcare on 15 December 2025. If your alarm still has the old Redcare box, it may no longer be reaching a monitoring centre. Here’s how to spot it and replace it - usually without replacing the alarm itself.
Worth acting on now
Redcare stopped operating on 15 December 2025. An alarm that depended on it can still sound in the building, but the signal to the monitoring centre - and the police or keyholder call that follows - may no longer happen. If you are unsure whether that applies to you, it is worth having it checked.
How to tell if you have a Redcare communicator
Three quick things to look for. If any of them sound familiar, treat it as a likely yes and get it looked at.
A phone cable runs from the alarm to a BT socket
The old communicator relied on the telephone line. If a phone cable runs from your alarm panel or communicator to a BT master socket, it is the first thing to have checked.
Your paperwork mentions Redcare
Look at your alarm monitoring contract, invoices or installation paperwork. If BT Redcare is named as your signalling or monitoring route, that is the service which has now closed.
A separate box beside the panel
Many older systems have a separate communicator unit fitted next to the alarm panel, which may be labelled Redcare. If you are unsure what yours is, an engineer can identify it on a site visit.
Can’t tell? Call us on 0800 13 03 999 or ask for a free site visit - an engineer can identify how your alarm is signalling in minutes.
Three steps to replace it
In most cases your existing alarm panel and sensors stay exactly as they are - only the communicator and the monitoring connection change.
Step 1
Replace the old communicator
The old Redcare communicator is removed and a new IP-based digital communicator is fitted in its place. It needs to be dual-path - meaning it has a back-up path, such as GSM, if the internet connection drops.
Current options are CSL DualCom or AMCO LiveTalk. Not sure which? Our Redcare alternatives comparison explains the difference.
Step 2
Connect it to your internet router
Instead of plugging into the telephone line, the new communicator connects to your internet router. The engineer tests the GSM signal strength on site and fits a suitable aerial if the signal needs help.
You don’t need to do anything to the router beforehand - the engineer handles the connection and tests it before leaving.
Step 3
Sign up for new alarm monitoring
Your alarm is set up with a new alarm monitoring contract over the new connection. If you need Type A Police Response, confirm your Police URN is correctly carried over rather than assuming it transfers automatically.
See our Guide to Police Monitoring for how Type A response and URNs work.
Ready to replace your Redcare box?
Speak to a UK security expert - most quotes take less than 10 minutes over the phone.
You can usually keep the alarm you already have
Replacing a Redcare communicator is not the same as replacing an alarm. The panel, keypads, sensors and sounders that protect your property normally stay in place - the job is a communicator swap and a new monitoring connection.
Fitting an older panel that’s reached the end of its life is a separate question, and we’ll tell you honestly if yours needs it. See our alarm upgrade options.
What usually stays
- Your existing alarm panel
- Keypads and detectors
- Bell box and sounders
Coming from an ADT-installed system? See how to switch your ADT alarm monitoring.
Frequently asked questions
Want more background first?
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Tell us what’s fitted and we’ll arrange the communicator swap, router connection and new monitoring - so your alarm is properly monitored again.
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