4G router with triggered SMS, does it exist ?

Good day everyone

I am looking into disposing of my landline as 4G works fine for me BUT there is one problem, integrating the alarm system. It presently uses a copper phone message for alarms. What I would like to do is trigger a 4G SMS message BUT I cannot find a router supporting this, does anybody know of one ?

The alternative is a 4G router and separate 4G triggered SMS unit, the downside being two sim cards with associated costs.

What alarm is it?

I’d look into replacing the ‘dialler’ unit on the alarm system - with a unit that supports connection either directly via mobile (via it’s own embedded SIM) and/or via WiFi or Ethernet to the outside world.

Well it doesn't matter what the alarm is the problem is the same.

Yes I can replace the dialler but that requires a sim and that is what I am trying to avoid, 1 sim for the dialler and another for the router.

However it seems a router with an integral dialler doesn't exist (marketing opportunity someone). Frustrating as my present router can send and receive sms but only by an operator menu interaction, there is no ip interface

The only other potential option is an IP dialler that saves on a sim BUT they are quite expensive and rely upon the vendors server that may have a short operating life (company goes out of business etc).

So it seems after much going around the houses I have no choice other than two sims, still a hell of a lot cheaper than maintaining a dysfunctional landline!

Edited by fourtytwo (Thu 14-Sep-23 10:20:08)

You could roll your own solution based on a Mikrotik RBM33G which has GPIO connections. It would require an enclosure, antenna, LTE modem (Mikrotiks own are only Cat4 or Cat6), level shifters/relays to interface to the alarm, and some scripting.

I would love that as a project and indeed I did look at various modules BUT I would still need a second sim card unless I implemented the entire router myself, this would be a substantial effort and hardware cost to provide the processing power and memory needed on a custom pcb as well. Probably for one person a years work...........

There is one potential DIY solution and that is to spoof the operator interface to the existing router, quite complex and potentially unreliable and also requires something like a RPi to do it (or any Ethernet/WIFI capable mpu).

Edited by fourtytwo (Thu 14-Sep-23 10:27:38)

I ask which alarm as it’s possible to get direct wired Ethernet interfaces and/or WiFi modules for many alarms now which makes it a doddle to connect to your internet connection.

I’ve had a couple of HKC (now part of Assa Abloy) alarm units in operation since 2013.

They have upgradable / replaceable daughter-boards for all comms and since 2018 or so these have used an integrated SIM module which handles all the comms and remote access / there is a dual comms path as they are also WiFi connected.

Prior to having them upgraded I used a PAYG SIM in there but now it’s a roaming SIM that is provisioned and paid as party of an annual sub for each unit, which from memory is around £60 a year. I think that’s not too bad really as I get a fully cloud connected management platform, which works really well.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

I ask which alarm as it’s possible to get direct wired Ethernet interfaces and/or WiFi modules for many alarms now which makes it a doddle to connect to your internet connection.

Ohh I am sorry it's an ancient Texecom R8 with no such facility.
Try penny mobile for sims (if you have EE coverage), currently £30/pa

Also this is still a two sim solution

Edited by fourtytwo (Thu 14-Sep-23 10:34:02)

The Mikrotik is primarily a router - it supports IP on various types interfaces, including LTE modems. Most of the work would be adding the GPIO to SMS functionality.

There’s a couple of Teltonika routers in the M2M sphere that would also potentially suit the OP as they likewise have external GPIO interfaces, specifically for M2M market. Not sure on price though.

In reply to a post by tdw42:

The Mikrotik is primarily a router - it supports IP on various types interfaces, including LTE modems. Most of the work would be adding the GPIO to SMS functionality.

Ohh I got you, sorry I assumed it was just a 4G modem, I see it's a complete processor excluding the modem. Well the SMS sender is about £50 with an ongoing extra £30/pa for the sim so that's a fairly small budget to compete against, I bet I am looking at ~£100+ for that board before adding a modem. I know it's a router as well but I already have one of those. It's a great idea but on cost and time it's not for me sadly.
Many thanks though