Andrew Campbell, Security Systems Director for OCS UK and Ireland covers the BT Redcare switch-off: and what businesses need to know.
The UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cornerstone of traditional telephony, is being phased out as part of the country’s digital transformation. In January 2027, the switch-off will be complete and all services relying on the analogue network will be inoperable. Among them is BT Redcare, a trusted security communications provider for businesses and home owners, which will close in August 2025. BT’s move to a digital-first infrastructure, including full-fibre and digital voice, promises to deliver faster and more reliable networks. However, the shutdown of BT Redcare poses significant challenges for businesses that depend on it for security and alarm monitoring.
What are the implications?
Importantly, the most immediate concerns for businesses who rely on BT Redcare is the substantial risk of disruption to their security monitoring systems. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 120,000 customers across the country will be affected by the closure. For many businesses that depend on the service to transmit critical security signals, a failure to replace or migrate away from BT Redcare could result in an inability to detect and respond to potential threats such as break-ins, fire hazards and other security risks.
The implications of this could spell disaster. Numerous businesses often have regulatory or insurance obligations to maintain a specific level of security, including 24/7 alarm monitoring. The switch-off of BT Redcare could result in non-compliance if businesses do not take the initiative and switch to an alternative service. Non-compliance can create major legal consequences but could also create the potential for invalidated insurance claims, increased premiums or even a complete loss of insurance coverage.
What can businesses do?
Although the switch-off of BT Redcare is planned for August 2025, it’s vital that businesses do not wait until the eleventh hour to transition to digital IP-based services. Given the complexity surrounding upgrading or transitioning to a new system, early planning is essential. Research from telecommunications provider, M247, found that 80 per cent of businesses believe migration away from analogue PSTN services could take as long as up to six months to complete. It’s vital that businesses engage early with the migration process, auditing their current security systems and communications infrastructure to identify what services and devices are reliant on BT Redcare.
As businesses migrate away from the analogue network, it’s important that they select a solution that not only matches the functionality of BT Redcare, but also offers scalability and future-proofing business benefits. IP-based alarm monitoring delivers faster communication, enhanced security features – such as real-time alerts, end-to-end encryption or cloud storage options – and boasts the ability to integrate with other digital services including CCTV, access control and smart building technologies.
Transitioning away from the PSTN network, and services reliant on the network like BT Redcare, are non-negotiable but understandably, there will be anxieties to-wards service disruption during any transition period. Minimising operational downtime during this time is key to ensuring business continuity. Businesses can deploy a phased approach to their transition period, deploying new systems side-by-side and using feature flagging to help minimise disruptions and protect against any threat of data corruption.
Specialist support
With the UK’s private security sector worth a staggering £8.9 billion in 2023, for businesses who are yet to transition away from BT Redcare, they are spoilt for choice for alternative solutions. It’s therefore important that businesses work closely with trusted facilities management providers, which have the necessary expertise and relevant accreditations – such as NASCOSS Gold or NSI approval – in the security sector as this can play a pivotal role in helping businesses navigate the switch-off. For example, at OCS, where a physical presence is needed, CCTV monitoring or remote access control, our services are trusted to ensure business’ sites and its employees are safe and secure.
From conducting risk assessments, managing system upgrades with minimal dis-ruption or co-ordinating effectively with Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) and other security partners, FM providers offer the knowledge and resources needed to safe-guard business operations during any transition period.
Although there is anxiety surrounding the implications of the BT Redcare switch-off, businesses should see the switch-off as a fantastic opportunity to embrace a new digital framework for their security obligations. By acting early and engaging with the correct partners, businesses can embrace the opportunities of the digital era with the peace of mind that their security is bulletproof.
