21CN programme update
Consumers and businesses can now benefit more quickly from the new services being made available on BT's next generation network, with next generation Ethernet and broadband services already being delivered in parts of the country.
Broadband services
Local exchanges are being prepared for the new network. Service providers can then choose if and when to offer the new services. If they do, BT will migrate end users from today's network to the new 21CN platform.
After a period of time, customers remaining on today's IPstream* broadband service on each exchange will be moved in bulk to the new service - and BT is currently consulting on timescales and practicalities for this transition. For further information on broadband, please see previous newsletter.
*IPstream is BT Wholesale's broadband product for service providers.
Voice services
From April 2010, as exchanges are transferred to the new network, all remaining phone lines will be transferred in bulk. Updated scheduling information will be made available on the switched-on website in the run up to this planned activity. When appropriate to do so, BT will then switch off its legacy networks. Updates on ISDN activities will follow in future newsletters.
Private circuits
With very few exceptions, private circuits will not be affected directly by this migration work. Some private circuits will continue as they are, whilst new types are being introduced, and customers will have several years to move to them from the existing products.
The customer experience
The experience of the customer throughout this migration programme is paramount. BT is continuing to work very closely with the industry on a number of pilots to test all aspects of the migration process, and implement operational readiness activities before moving to large volume migrations. This includes a voice pilot in South Wales, broadband pilot in the West Midlands and a planned ISDN pilot in Northern Ireland.
Getting the country switched-on is a massive project for the UK's telecommunications industry, and will take place over a number of years. Please note, plans for switching-on and other details may change.
Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) compatibility testing
BT is continuing to work closely with service providers, manufacturers and industry bodies to test systems, services and customer equipment to ensure full interoperability with 21CN and service excellence for customers.
The testing programme includes the assessing of office equipment and technology that's typically linked to business phone lines. BT expects that the vast majority of customer equipment connected to current telephone lines and broadband services will work normally on the network once it has been switched-on. Testing to date indicates that CPE will function normally on 21CN provided it conforms to published specifications.
Work continues to test a range
of customer equipment and the current focus is on testing:
- Telemetry devices.
- Security and fire alarms.
- Telecare and telehealth equipment.
- Point of sale, cash terminal and cashpoint machines.
Planned testing includes the following equipment:
- ISDN2e equipment.
- ISDN30e equipment including digital corporate switchboards (testing commenced in August 2008).
- ISDN30 DASS2.
- DPNSS (Featurenet).
To find out the latest updates go to the following area of the switched-on website:
www.switchedonuk.org/business/how/compatibility/
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Everything you need to communicate with your customers
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The switched-on campaign
Switched-on is the independent, non-commercial communications campaign to inform consumers and small and medium sized businesses of the migration. Activity includes a nationwide leaflet drop, SME mailing and a communications toolkit for resellers.
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