What is 21CN and Consult21?
21CN is the name given to BT’s 21st century network programme, which was announced in June 2004. 21CN is the means to deliver new and compelling products and services. BT Wholesale’s customers, consumers, businesses and the economy at large will benefit.
Implementation of these plans began during 2005/6 with specific details evolving over this period to reflect changing market requirements and to take account of requests for change from other CPs, achieved through ongoing dialogue and consultation. The approach to migration has changed during this time to one focused on the availability of new services, with migration driven by customer demand.
We are making every effort to ensure that everyone understands our 21CN vision and the progress we are making. We are talking to suppliers, to investors, to consultants, to academics and the regulator and will continue to do so. During the programme, dialogue with our customers is key.
We will keep you informed as investment decisions are taken. And, in addition to business as usual practices, we have also run a formal 21st century network customer consultation process delivered by our Consult21 team.
So what has BT delivered?
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A new simplified and higher capacity UK core network better able to manage the growing volumes of digital media traffic being consumed by end users.
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ADSL2+ broadband, which offers customers higher speeds and greater functionality, to within reach of over 14 million UK homes; with plans to increase this to 20 million homes by March 2011.
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The introduction of broadband delivered over fibre, with plans to make this service (FTTC/FTTP) to within reach of 10 million UK homes by 2012.
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Ethernet services available from more than 800 nodes across the UK, offering higher speed, more flexibility, and more cost effective data connectivity.
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The first incumbent operator to create an IP voice replacement service for PSTN, currently supporting 64,000 customers (or 75,000 lines) in South Wales – delivering voice services with quality and reliability on a par with legacy voice services.
For further information please see: http://www.btplc.com/21CN/
What is Consult21?
Consult21 is the programme designed to consult with Communication Providers (CPs) and BT on BT's 21st Century Network (21CN). Consult21 is made up of a dedicated team with the objectives of:
- Ensuring that industry is aware of the 21CN vision and BT's progress towards it
- Achieving a shared understanding with industry on 21CN
- Ensuring industry has an opportunity to input into and influence 21CN development and activities
("Industry" means customers who purchase Openreach and/or BT Wholesale products)
For a presentation giving an introduction to Consult21 please see: An Introduction to Consult21
For the Consult21 process please see: Consult21 process
