BT signals closure of all Redcare operations in August 2025

In a formal communication to interested parties, Whiting explained: “We will, of course, continue to meet our commitments to provide services for orders already placed, but please take this as formal notice that your agreement(s) with us (including all orders placed for the provision of BT Redcare services) will terminate on 1 August 2025 or earlier if your services are contractually due to expire before then, or if you migrate your services away from BT Redcare before 1 August 2025.”

Whiting appreciates that this will not be welcome news, which is precisely why there’s a stated desire to afford impacted parties of the ‘cut-off’ date as soon as possible. On the basis that it will take time for Redcare users to find an alternative service provider, BT will continue to accept orders up to and including 29 February this year, but that’s “on the express condition” that no services will continue to be provided beyond 1 August 2025.

Installers and Alarm Receiving Centre operators will now need to consider moving all of their customers using BT Redcare services to an alternative service provider by no later than 1 August 2025.

To assist with that process, BT will waive any early termination charges from 1 March 2024 for orders already placed before 1 February 2024 and where BT Redcare services are already being provided. In terms of ordering replacement equipment or devices moving forward, the advice given by BT is to telephone 0800 800 628 (option 3).

Response from CSL

Critical connectivity solutions provider CSL issued an immediate response to the Redcare news on 2 February. The company explained: “We are working to finalise the details of our plan to ensure we can support all impacted installers and Alarm Receiving Centres, many of whom are existing CSL partners. We are committed to extending our current operation to ensure the alarm signalling ecosystem continues to receive the highest levels of service and support and that end users are not negatively impacted by these changes.”

Further, CSL noted: “We are currently reviewing our stock management processes alongside our supplier partners to ensure that we can adjust our plans in order to deal with an increase in demand. We would encourage installers to review their engineer resources and processes around performing any required upgrades as part of a structured programme alongside maintenance visits.”

Additionally, CSL is actively working with industry stakeholders including the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the National Security Inspectorate and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board, duly providing assurances to these bodies that the company is doing everything it can to “offer a solution” to this industry problem.

In conclusion, the statement on CSL’s website reads: “We will provide further updates on our plans in due course.”

View from the Trade Association

The BSIA has also issued a statement on its LinkedIn page. “In response to BT Redcare’s recent announcement that it will be closing its signalling service by August 2025, the BSIA – working with its members – is currently assessing the potential impact and implications of this decision. In the forthcoming days, we will be deciding upon which course of action the Trade Association will take on behalf of its affected members.”

The statement continues: “In the interim, we hope to reassure our members that we will provide relevant updates when we can, and also express our concern on how this decision will impact upon those at Redcare who have provided these services for 30 years.”

Finally, the BSIA has said: “We will also be actively working with our industry stakeholders and will provide regular updates to the wider industry and relevant parties on any appropriate action we pursue.”