CUSTOMERS of BT’s Redcare security system have been warned that the service will soon close down after more than 30 years in business.
Redcare is a wireless alarm fire and security system that provides a similar service now offered by the popular Ring.
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The telecoms company has sent an “important notice” to all Redcare customers saying they have made the difficult to decision to close all BT Redcare operations” next year.
BT added that they “appreciate that this will not be welcome news”.
But explained they had tried to give customers “as much notice as we possibly can”.
BT has outlined 1 August 2025 at the official date it will terminate services.
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However, some customers may see their services end even sooner.
If your contract expires early than the beginning of August, it will not be automatically renewed.
Although, the company will continue to accept order up to 29 February – on the condition that no services will continue beyond August 2025.
As ISPreview points out, it will not be simple nor cheap for Redcare customers to switch to a different service.
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Therefore, BT has said it will waive any early termination charges from 1 March 2024 for orders placed before 1st February 2024 to help with this transition.
“As part of our strategy to simplify our business portfolio and focus on delivering core products and services for our customers, we have decided to close our Redcare business in 2025,” a BT spokesperson said.
“We have informed all our Redcare customers, to give them enough advance notice to find alternative suppliers – and we will be supporting them during this process.”
Has Ring replaced BT’s Redcare?
Analysis by Millie Turner, Technology & Science Reporter for The Sun.
Times – and the technology – have changed since BT launched its Redcare service more than three decades ago.
Since then, pocketable, palm-sized app-assisted security gadgets like Amazon-owned Ring have emerged.
One of Redcare’s biggest sells is that it has an immediate police response – unlike Ring, which requires users to specify when they want police dispatched to their home.
However, the average cost for Redcare per year is £355 – not including the additional set-up fees which are usually priced in the hundreds.
Whereas a complete Ring Alarm Kit, at a one-time cost, is priced between £219.99 and £429.99 – depending on how large the kit is.
The there’s the Ring Protect Plus optional plan, that’s priced at £8 a month, or £80 a year.
Another Redcare perk is that it can detect fire, as well as security breaches.
Although the Ring Alarm system can also trigger fire and carbon monoxide alarms – so long as they are Ring’s own Alarm Smoke and CO Listener or FirstAlert Z-Wave Smoke/CO Alarm.
As a part of Ring Alarm professional monitoring, fire rescue will be notified for dispatch.
Both products essentially promise the same features, except Ring doesn’t call the police automatically over concern of a false alarm.
Where they do diverge is the price point which is a biggie for nearly all households – and Ring comes out as a clear winner on that front.
