BT Redcare has announced the launch of Essential IP, an IP-based alarm signalling solution that future-proofs alarm systems. Connected via broadband, the SP2 grade service notifies ARCs of path faults within 60 minutes, which is faster than older dial-up signalling systems.
Introduced to simplify the transition from legacy public switched telephone network (PSTN) systems, Essential IP is easy to install and exceeds SP2 performance levels. Able to connect via ethernet or WiFi, it is ideal in areas with poor mobile coverage. It has eight standard alarm channels and dial capture on-board, and data sent to ARCs is encrypted with high-level AES.
Common serial connection capabilities – RS232 and RS485 – means Essential IP is compatible with a range of alarm panels, so there is no need for upgraded alarm hardware.
Nick Whiting, Head of BT Redcare, stated, ‘The move to all-IP is a huge driver in the industry. Alarm installers face a significant challenge to get customers ready and transitioned away from systems that rely on PSTN to dial out to ARCs. This technology is decades old and keeping customers safe means future-proofing their alarm signalling. If customers migrate their phone services before checking their alarm systems, any legacy dial-up solutions will stop working.
‘With this comes a need for solutions to be out-of-the box ready, easy to install and compatible with existing alarm systems. Essential IP has been developed with installers and customers at the forefront of thinking, and is the perfect solution to help protect what matters most to customers.’
All solutions within the BT Redcare Next Generation alarm signalling portfolio come with a 10-year product guarantee and are manufactured from plastic that is recyclable.
Other signalling options from BT Redcare are Essential, Essential Extra, Advanced, Advanced Extra and Ultimate.
Essential is a wireless, SP2 device with an integrated SIM that switches between mobile networks to find the most reliable coverage. Signalling uses 4G and 2G networks. Essential Extra features two 4G SIMs. The fully-monitored second SIM is a back-up if the first fails, and it switches between networks to maintain the best coverage.
Advanced is a flexible dual path alarm signalling system which utilises both a wired IP connection and dual 4G SIMs: one fixed and one roaming. Advanced Extra includes rapid alert response times, so ARCs will be notified of connection faults on the primary path within three minutes.
Ultimate uses a private IP connection on a dedicated BT Redcare broadband network, with its own built-in hub, backed up by two 4G SIMs. Battery back-up in the alarm panel provides a failsafe, and ARCs will be notified of any connection problems within 90 seconds.
