FAQs

Why should I choose Bosch Cellular Service?

Bosch Cellular Service is optimized for use with Bosch control panels, apps (like RSC), and RPS. Competitive service plans and the online service portal put you in control. Our Installer Services support team is ready to quickly handle your questions or issues.

How do I purchase Bosch Plug-in Cellular Communicators?

You can purchase cellular communicators from your distributor, or order them from Bosch. They are available as a stand-alone item or kitted with the B450 Plug-in Communicator Interface. Remember to activate your cellular communicators before you use them.

How do I activate a Bosch Plug-in Cellular Communicator?

The activation process assigns a phone number, an IP address, and a data plan to the cellular communicator. You can activate cellular communicators using RPS, by submitting a support ticket in the Bosch Cellular Portal, by emailing installer.services@us.bosch.com, or by calling Bosch Installer Services (800-289-0096).
For B440 and B441 communicators you need to provide the MEID number (find it on the box or on the communicator).
For B443 communicators you need to provide the SIM (ICCID) number printed on the SIM card.

How do I program my B443 Plug-in cellular communicator to work with the SIM card?

Use RPS to program the communicator (through the control panel). Set the Network Access Point Name (APN) parameter to the APN for your carrier:
ATT = wyless.com.attz
Rogers = wyless.apn
T-Mobile = GNE

Is my central station receiver compatible with Bosch Cellular Service?

Bosch Cellular Service requires a Bosch Conettix Receiver/Gateway with IP network communication enabled. We recommend you update your receiver to the latest firmware to take advantage of the latest panel and cellular communicator features.

How do I choose a data plan?

That depends on how your customer’s panel is reporting. Visit our our Conettix website to review data plan and reporting options.

Are there any term commitments for the data plans?

There are no term commitments. You can terminate or change a data plan at any time.

Can I change the data plan for an active cellular communicator?

You can change the data plan for your active cellular communicators at any time using RPS, by submitting a support ticket in the Bosch Cellular Portal, by emailing installer.services@us.bosch.com, or by calling Bosch Installer Services (800-289-0096)

Can I switch carriers?

There is only one carrier for the B440 and B441 cellular communicators.
For B443 cellular communicators, simply switch the SIM card and use RPS to re-program the communicator (through the control panel). Set the Network Access Point Name (APN) parameter to the APN for the new carrier:
ATT = wyless.com.attz
Rogers = wyless.apn
T-Mobile = GNE
To avoid charges for two SIMs, remember to terminate the data plan associated with the SIM you removed.

How do I terminate the data plan and stop service for a cellular communicator or SIM?

You can terminate the data plan and stop service for a cellular communicator or SIM at any time by emailing installer.services@us.bosch.com, or by calling Bosch Installer Services (800-289-0096)

Is there a way to tell how much data each cellular communicator uses each month?

Yes, log into the Bosch Cellular Service portal, click the Networks tab to see usage for each cellular communicator. Watchdogs are pre-configured to notify you before a communicator exceeds its data plan. You can change the watchdog settings and notification list from the Bosch Cellular Portal.
Important! Watchdogs do not take into account data pooling.

Can I use my own SIM card in a B443 cellular communicator?

Yes, you can use the B443 communicator with your preferred GSM/GPRS service provider’s SIM cards. You are responsible for making sure the data plans and network settings are set up properly to avoid security risks or surprise invoices. You cannot activate communicators using these SIM cards using RPS, or through the Bosch Cellular Service portal. The Bosch Installer Services support team will not have visibility to usage or diagnostic data for your SIMS.

How long does it take a B440 or B441 communicator to communicate for the first time?

You need to activate a B440 or B441 communicator before it can communicate. You can activate them using RPS, by submitting a support ticket in the Bosch Cellular Portal, by emailing installer.services@us.bosch.com, or by calling Bosch Installer Services (800-289-0096 opt 6). You need to provide the MEID number (find it on the box or on the communicator).
The activation process assigns a data plan, phone number and IP address to the communicator within 15 minutes of your request. At that point the communicator is ready to communicate.

Can I use RPS to program my Bosch control panel over cellular?

Every cellular communicator comes with a static IP address to use for network programming via RPS. For security and performance, Bosch Cellular Service is a private network. Communicators on the network cannot be reached unless you are VPN tunneled into the network from your RPS PC (or you are subscribed for Remote Connect (cloud) service). Your Bosch Cellular Service subscription includes VPN accounts and unique credentials to support full RPS network programming.

Can I use the Bosch Cellular solution for non-Bosch control panels?

Yes, if your non-Bosch control panel uses Contact ID, SIA, Pulse 3/1, or Pulse 4/2 reporting format to send reports via PSTN. You can configure the new B465 Universal Dual Path Communicator as a dialer capture module. Plug a B440, B441, or B443 cellular communicator into the B465 to send reports using Bosch Cellular Service, or plug in an Ethernet cable to send reports using Conettix IP.

If I am installing a cellular communicator at a commercial fire site do I need a backup communicator?

Generally, no. Our cellular communicators are UL-864 listed to serve as the sole communication device for commercial fire applications when configured to the recommended supervision interval (5 minutes or 1 hour, depending on the NFPA requirements followed in your local jurisdiction). You should consult your AHJ for special requirements and restrictions.

Are Bosch cellular communicators only for backup alarm reporting?

No, Bosch cellular communicators can serve as the primary destination device or as the backup destination device.

What are GPRS, UMTS and HSPA+?

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a 2nd generation (2G) technology used on GSM (Global System for Mobile) networks to send packetized digital information.
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation (3G) technology.
Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) is a 3.9G technology mobile cellular system for networks.
Bosch B443 cellular communicators use UMTS, the best of these three catagories, to send Conettix IP messages over commercial cellular networks.

What is GSM?

Global System for Mobile communications is the world’s most popular cellular network standard for mobile phones and devices. It offers high quality digital voice and data communication.