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

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

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.

The RUT906 that might do the job (with an external mpu) is £240 incl vat

Edited by fourtytwo (Thu 14-Sep-23 10:46:19)

Thanks for the chat it always helps to get other peoples ideas on board
I am going to have a look at spoofing the existing router using an ESP8266 connecting over WIFI, I already have one talking to the router from my solar system so I know how to use them and they have plenty of i/o ports for alarm interface. It's just a case of reliably getting the router to send an SMS from it
Again many thanks for the discussion/ideas

If it were me, I would replace the old alarm panel - you could go with a Texecom Premier Elite and a SmartCom which would connect via ethernet or WiFi.

The panel is about £60; the SmartCom will cost a bit more, but this is a great solution (I run a variant of this solution myself).

Replacing the panel is not difficult...and you clearly don't have a monitored solution (as you're looking to change out the dialer yourself) so no maintainer to worry about.

Rather than using the same SIM for data and SMS, or a SIM for each it might be worth looking at companies offering SMS APIs - you only need a small single-board computer which would perform an API call from the alarm signals.

Even though you will be paying per SMS it would be a lot less than a second SIM.

How do you want this "triggered SMS" to be triggered? Teltonika routers have input and output pins and SMS functionality with an API https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUTX50_Mobi...

As long as the router allows telnet or ssh access and accepts AT commands, then you should be able to send SMS through that interface. You would just need a bit of DIY code on a Raspberry PI or similar computer to trigger the SMS.

Or you stick OpenWRT on the 4G router and then use their SMS interface
https://forum.openwrt.org/t/luci-app-luci-app-sms-to...

In reply to a post by JonRennie:

If it were me, I would replace the old alarm panel - you could go with a Texecom Premier Elite and a SmartCom which would connect via ethernet or WiFi.

The panel is about £60; the SmartCom will cost a bit more, but this is a great solution (I run a variant of this solution myself).

Replacing the panel is not difficult...and you clearly don't have a monitored solution (as you're looking to change out the dialer yourself) so no maintainer to worry about.

I am surprised the panel is only £60, I have certainly seen the comms unit around £120, not sure the panel would be compatible with my IR sensors & bell box that may be an additional cost. The idea had crossed my mind but I was put off by the cost more than anything although a new panel with an smps to replace the present energy wasting hot box would be nice

In reply to a post by tdw42:

Rather than using the same SIM for data and SMS, or a SIM for each it might be worth looking at companies offering SMS APIs - you only need a small single-board computer which would perform an API call from the alarm signals.

Even though you will be paying per SMS it would be a lot less than a second SIM.

I have only one concern with this otherwise excellent idea and that is server reliability and ongoing availability, no good if they decide to pull the plug and I don't realize til it's to late.

In reply to a post by jpm:

How do you want this "triggered SMS" to be triggered? Teltonika routers have input and output pins and SMS functionality with an API https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUTX50_Mobi...

Unfortunatly reading the manual it only seems to have an sms triggered outout pin, no mention of an input trigger (alarm) generating an sms unless I missed it.

In reply to a post by essex_man:

As long as the router allows telnet or ssh access and accepts AT commands, then you should be able to send SMS through that interface. You would just need a bit of DIY code on a Raspberry PI or similar computer to trigger the SMS.

Or you stick OpenWRT on the 4G router and then use their SMS interface
https://forum.openwrt.org/t/luci-app-luci-app-sms-to...

I have tried very hard to access something useful through the Telnet interface to no avail, it is completely un-documented but seems to be very basic and not related to 4G at all so no joy there
I don't think I would consider openwrt, to much chance of bricking the router (ok scared lols).

Edited by fourtytwo (Thu 14-Sep-23 16:24:49)

Thank you for even more suggestions, I hope you don't think I am poo-pooing them all, just considering
I tried to unravel the html of the mmi but it consists of large numbers of java-scripts that promptly change over to encrypted mode so no hope of spoofing that interface at all.

As the problem doesn't become critical till I finally cease my landline I guess I have some time to try (carefully) the openwrt route (deep breath), though I found little documentation on it (need to look harder)

EDIT: Bang goes that idea (openwrt) as this router (Tplink Archer MR600V3) is not supported.

Edited by fourtytwo (Thu 14-Sep-23 17:04:15)

In reply to a post by JonRennie:

If it were me, I would replace the old alarm panel - you could go with a Texecom Premier Elite and a SmartCom which would connect via ethernet or WiFi.

The panel is about £60; the SmartCom will cost a bit more, but this is a great solution (I run a variant of this solution myself).

Do they do a version of the SmartCom 4G with a regular mobile sim slot rather than a eSim as I haven't found anyone that does pay as you go via a eSim.

In reply to a post by fourtytwo:

In reply to a post by jpm:

How do you want this "triggered SMS" to be triggered? Teltonika routers have input and output pins and SMS functionality with an API https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUTX50_Mobi...

Unfortunatly reading the manual it only seems to have an sms triggered outout pin, no mention of an input trigger (alarm) generating an sms unless I missed it.

https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUTX50_Inpu...

In reply to a post by jpm:

In reply to a post by fourtytwo:

In reply to a post by jpm:

How do you want this "triggered SMS" to be triggered? Teltonika routers have input and output pins and SMS functionality with an API https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUTX50_Mobi...

Unfortunatly reading the manual it only seems to have an sms triggered outout pin, no mention of an input trigger (alarm) generating an sms unless I missed it.

https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUTX50_Inpu...

Ooops do apologize for my fumbling eyballs, got it, will investigate cost......
EDIT GULP circa £570 wayyyy outside my budget, sorry

Edited by fourtytwo (Thu 14-Sep-23 17:12:37)

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

In reply to a post by JonRennie:

If it were me, I would replace the old alarm panel - you could go with a Texecom Premier Elite and a SmartCom which would connect via ethernet or WiFi.

The panel is about £60; the SmartCom will cost a bit more, but this is a great solution (I run a variant of this solution myself).

Do they do a version of the SmartCom 4G with a regular mobile sim slot rather than a eSim as I haven't found anyone that does pay as you go via a eSim.

Then were back to two sims lols
EDIT : AND having had a brief look at the manual it doesnt mention SMS at all, just tie's you into the texecom cloud that expects you to have a smartphone.......

Edited by fourtytwo (Thu 14-Sep-23 17:20:23)

In reply to a post by fourtytwo:

Then were back to two sims lols
EDIT : AND having had a brief look at the manual it doesnt mention SMS at all, just tie's you into the texecom cloud that expects you to have a smartphone.......

I was asking for myself do you have a link to the manual?

So dare I summarize with advanced apologies for any requirements I did not originally state

1/ Separate 4G dialler that would require two sims...... That's the original problem two sims!
2/ There is a router with a send SMS from pin waggle.... Its fantastically expensive, circa £570
3/ There is an alarm system with IP alarms......... Its a bit expensive (~£200) and requires smartphones (no SMS)
4/ The existing routers firmware could be replaced..... Unfortunately OpenWrt doesn't support router
5/ Use Telnet interface of existing router............ No dialler commands in Telnet interface
6/ Spoof HTML interface......... Uses encrypted javascript, to difficult
7/ DIY router based on SBC + 4G modem....... Complex project, estimate ~£150+
8/ SMS API provider with small SBC to generate text......... Cheap but relies on unreliable? external server

Looks like 2 sims and simple 4G dialler (~£100)!! or take a punt on number 8 for £25 it seems.

Glossary :
SBC .... Single Board Computer
API ..... Application Programming Interface
HTML.... Gunk that makes web pages!

Edited by fourtytwo (Thu 14-Sep-23 18:50:51)

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

I was asking for myself do you have a link to the manual?

Yup they hide it from there main site but it's here smartcom manual

In reply to a post by fourtytwo:

So dare I summarize with advanced apologies for any requirements I did not originally state

1/ Separate 4G dialler that would require two sims...... That's the original problem two sims!
2/ There is a router with a send SMS from pin waggle.... Its fantastically expensive, circa £570
3/ There is an alarm system with IP alarms......... Its a bit expensive (~£200) and requires smartphones (no SMS)
4/ The existing routers firmware could be replaced..... Unfortunately OpenWrt doesn't support router
5/ Use Telnet interface of existing router............ No dialler commands in Telnet interface
6/ Spoof HTML interface......... Uses encrypted javascript, to difficult
7/ DIY router based on SBC + 4G modem....... Complex project, estimate ~£150+
8/ SMS API provider with small SBC to generate text......... Cheap but relies on unreliable? external server

Looks like 2 sims and simple 4G dialler (~£100)!!

Glossary :
SBC .... Single Board Computer
API ..... Application Programming Interface
HTML.... Gunk that makes web pages!

re/ point 2...

Various Teltonika's support SMS and GPIO based triggering functionality. There is a new RUT 260 (cat 6) box recently launched, which should be around £150

https://teltonika-networks.com/products/routers/rut260

In reply to a post by fourtytwo:

EDIT: Bang goes that idea (openwrt) as this router (Tplink Archer MR600V3) is not supported.

OK, TP-Link is pretty useless when it comes to Command Line Interface.
I would get my hands on a ZTE MF286D (off eBay for around £50), stick OpenWRT on it, get the SMS to work and the flog the Archer MR600. They fetch between £30 and £90 on eBay, so you could be quids in (or at least not out of pocket) and end up with a better 4G router (the MR600 is Cat 6, MF286D is Cat 12)

Sorry not to have updated this thread with the final solution I used after so long.

I am now fully 4G Broadband using EE & 1pmobile sim, it works like a dream for me, so much more reliable than the landline ever was.

As for the alarm dialler my solution was an ESP8266 Ardiuno WIFI module (about £5) and a subscription to an IP to SMS service (about £10 once).

The software took a while to write and debug and the whole thing fits inside the alarm controller case and gets it's power from there too so no external connections at all.

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions.