BT Redcare launches Essential IP alarm signalling solution for UK security market

BT REDCARE – the trusted provider of ‘no compromise’ alarm signalling – has announced the UK launch of Essential IP, a new all-IP alarm signalling solution that future-proofs alarm systems and provides peace of mind to commercial and residential customers that their premises will continue to be fully protected against unwanted intrusion.

Connected via broadband, the SP2 grade Essential IP notifies Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) of path faults within 60 minutes, which is a considerably quicker time frame than for older dial-up signalling systems.

Introduced to simplify customers’ transition from legacy public switched telephone network (PSTN)-reliant systems, Essential IP is an easy-to-install solution that “greatly exceeds” SP2 performance levels. Able to connect via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, it’s a hassle-free option for customers and ideal for those areas with poor mobile coverage.

The new signalling solution boasts eight standard alarm channels and dial capture on board, while data sent to ARCs is encrypted e2e with high-level AES. Common serial connection capabilities – RS232 and RS485 – mean that Essential IP is compatible with a range of alarm panels. That being so, customers don’t have to purchase – and system installers don’t need to fit – entirely new systems to ensure future-proofed, all-IP protection.

Nick Whiting, head of BT Redcare, explained: “The move to all-IP is a huge driver in the industry. Alarm installers face a significant challenge to makes sure their customers are ready and transitioned away from systems that rely on the PSTN to dial out to ARCs. This technology is decades old. keeping customers safe means future-proofing their alarm signalling. If customers migrate their phone services before checking their alarm systems, it would mean any legacy dial-up solutions will stop working, placing premises at great risk.”

Whiting continued: “There’s a need for solutions to be ‘out-of-the box’ ready, easy to install and compatible with existing alarm systems. Just like the rest of the BT Redcare Next Generation portfolio, Essential IP has been developed with installers and customers at the forefront of our thinking and is the perfect solution to help protect what matters most to end customers.”

Product guarantee

All solutions within the BT Redcare Next Generation alarm signalling portfolio come with a ten-year product guarantee and are manufactured from plastic that’s recyclable.

The wider portfolio consists of the following solutions:

*Essential Extra: Wireless DP2 device with two 4G SIMs. The fully-monitored second SIM keeps customers connected if the first one fails, and it switches between networks to always gain the best coverage

*Advanced: Flexible dual path alarm signalling system designed to change with a customer’s needs. With both a wired IP connection and dual 4G SIMs – one fixed and one roaming – this solution offers two levels of reassurance

*Advanced Extra: With rapid alert response times, ARCs will know about connection faults on the primary path within three minutes. Differing technologies for the signalling paths provides that extra level of resilience

*Ultimate: Connected using a private IP connection on a dedicated BT Redcare broadband network with its own built-in hub and backed up by two 4G SIMs. Battery back-up in the alarm panel provides a failsafe. ARCs will know of any connection problems within 90 seconds.

*Further information is available online by visiting the BT Redcare website