BT 21CN (21st century network)

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http://www.btglobalservices.com/business/global/en/business/business_innovations/issue_02/century_network.html


Overview

BT's 21st Century Network (21CN) is a global IP infrastructure, based upon multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), that carries voice, data and Internet services on a single network. The 21CN offers multiple services across a single network, rather than today's multitude of networks offering specific services.

For BT, this will mean fewer network elements overall and require simpler network management. For BT's customers, the 21CN will deliver more choice, control and accessibility, as well as increased flexibility, reliability and security.

Reducing complexity

To show how the creation of a single network will reduce complexity, Matt Bross, BT Global Services chief technology officer, explains that the multiple networks built into today's mesh, such as UBB, MSH, PDH, deliver connectivity to that access network layer.

"But," he says, "we believe that services like ATM, TDM, frame relay and so on can be collapsed into a far simpler structure - a core - based upon existing MPLS and DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) technologies."

This vastly simplified core will reduce the number of copper pairs and fibre pairs in the system, and also reduce the number of service management organisations. According to Matt, this will allow BT to "deliver all of its existing services - and more - but with fewer boxes and buildings, and less technology, for a smaller cost."

"Today," he continues, "people have to design, engineer and capacity plan on each of the specific service platforms that exist. But in doing so, they also create barriers to co-operation and efficiency. With the 21CN, BT will go to a multi-band service management model, which will have a beneficial effect on its ability to deal with customers differently."

Personalised and flexible

"In planning the 21CN," says Matt, "BT considered what sort of customer experience it wanted to deliver and realised that the new network had to be trusted and personalised, flexible and straightforward."

The network has to be trusted, because people must feel confident that their transactions are secure, safe and private. In the 21CN, the customer experience will also be personalised, allowing everyone to access those parts of the network that are particular to them, from wherever they happen to be.

The 21CN will be easy to use too, of course, in terms of having a consistent look and feel, and flexible enough for people to have quick access to the services they need, when they need them. On this point, Matt offers the example of a customer "having high bandwidth today, to watch a movie, but not paying for it tomorrow because all they want to do is check their e-mails."

He goes on, "MPLS offers high-performance packet switching along pre-determined paths and also uses unique Route Distinguishers to segregate the customers' Virtual Private Network (VPN) traffic. Existing VPNs are essentially micro-versions of the 21CN - highly flexible and cost-effective networks, offering 'any-to-any' connectivity and traffic prioritisation."

With the 21CN, BT has combined MPLS technology with DiffServ and Traffic engineering techniques that differentiate between time-critical, high priority traffic on the one hand, and delay-tolerant, low priority traffic on the other. As a result, BT's 21CN customers will have the freedom to classify and prioritise their applications into different service classes, and to match network performance to their business needs.

How will BT's 21CN affect global organisations?

Lowry Stanage, BT Global Services president of networks, emphasises that the global roll-out programme is still tentative at this stage and relies to some extent on the letting of contracts later this year.

However, milestones along the way include first new service launches in 2006 and migration commencing in 2007. BT's access strategy should be complete in Europe by July 2008 and more than 50% of all migrations completed a year later.

Of course, organisations will need to make critical decisions concerning the implementation and management of their own network, based upon the size, scope and ability of the enterprise. An organisation with simple requirements will need only a simple network. An enterprise with more complex needs will require something extra, and there are essentially three options available: in-house deployment, a fully outsourced solution, or a managed service combining elements of the previous two.

Any organisation that considers building and running its own network must decide if it has sufficient financial resources to cope with the costs of company-wide implementation. In addition, it must consider whether it has the technical skills and knowledge to keep the network running, and the resources to train personnel and keep up to date with developments in technology.

Any organisation deciding against internal operation looks externally for guidance. With an outsourced solution, the network provider takes complete charge of the network assets, supervising and delivering the company's communications to the right people at the right time, right across the globe. This leaves the organisation to focus on its core business, but does involve handing over complete control of the network to a third party.

The managed service option is a third avenue that can be explored. In this scenario, the organisation works with an experienced service provider to implement, design and manage the network together. The benefit is that ultimate control remains in-house, but the provider's in-depth knowledge of each network component and application, plus their understanding of optimisation, ensures that a top-class service is still made possible.

"The customers who understand the need for flexibility, security, mobility and the end-to-end optimisation of applications, are… at the leading edge of their sectors."

Lowry Stanage, BT Global Services president of networks

Empowering customers

Once all the necessary implementation and management decisions are made, a company's employees will be able to access the 21CN and reap the benefits of being able to operate more flexibly and create real competitive advantage.

Andy Green, BT executive director, believes that the 21CN "increases the options available to organisations in relation to identifying and investing in remote sites. It also allows them to add new individuals to their corporate network as required. It will form the basis of every company's IT and communications infrastructure."

Lowry Stanage, BT Global Services president of networks, agrees. "Increasingly, international companies require multi-site connectivity across the world, at a lower cost, so BT is looking to evolve its networks to meet those needs."

Paul Reynolds, BT Wholesale chief executive, adds that the 21CN programme will deliver BT's vision of a converged multimedia world. "It will empower our customers," he says, "giving them control, choice and flexibility like never before. The 21CN is a converged single platform for all media, supporting all services, that will be seamless to customers at every location."

"With 21CN, BT will deliver the building blocks that the customers need to succeed," concludes Lowry Stanage. "Companies gain a competitive edge by having a strategic vision and an understanding of the latest technology trends, and by being prepared to commit early to the future. The customers who understand the need for flexibility, security, mobility and the end-to-end optimisation of applications, are the customers who stand at the leading edge of their sectors."
21CN at a glance

What is it? What does it offer?

* A single IP-based network for homes and businesses
* Converged multimedia communications
o Voice
o Data
o Internet services

What are the benefits?

* Improved customer control and more choice
* Accessibility from anywhere
* Increased flexibility
* Impressive reliability
* Superior security

When will it be here?

* UK tests, trials and procurement begin 2004
* Worldwide deployment starts 2005
* Mass migration to 21CN in the UK from 2006
* Access complete in Europe mid-2008
* Over 50% of all migrations complete by 2009

bealtine

Cardiff area first with BT's 21CN in H2 2006

Cardiff chosen as first city to benefit from BT's 21st Century Network
The people of Cardiff and the surrounding area will be the first in the UK to enjoy phone calls, broadband and Ethernet services over BT’s 21st Century Network (21CN) when it is rolled out to a regional concentration of customers for the first time. The migration of customer lines to the new infrastructure is expected to begin during the second half of 2006.

BT will migrate around 350,000 customer lines in the area, including many served by other telephone and internet service providers and mobile operators. The experience and customer feedback from the first mass customer migration project will help BT finalise plans to roll out 21CN to customers across the UK by the end of the decade.

21CN will enable BT and the rest of the communications industry to deliver a new generation of compelling, converged communications services designed to make the personal and professional lives of people more flexible and businesses more efficient. It will give customers greater control over the way they choose to use communications services in the future.

his major milestone in BT’s 21CN programme will require the replacement of equipment in more than 50 local exchanges and the implementation of new IT systems to underpin the delivery of services to customers. Before services go live over the new infrastructure, all exchange sites in the area will be assessed for power supply, space and logistics planning.

Three new metro nodes, or super telephone exchanges, are to be developed in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, with a further 10 new transmission sites also developed across the region.

Rhodri Morgan, the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government, said: “It’s incredibly exciting for us that Wales has been selected to provide the test bed for BT’s new 21st Century Network. The Welsh economy is thriving and growing. This investment by BT clearly signifies that Cardiff and central South Wales is one of Europe’s most dynamic and progressive regions. The end result will transform our personal and business lives, and help attract high tech industry and services to Wales.”

Paul Reynolds, chief executive of BT Wholesale, said: “Today's announcement represents a critical shift in the focus of BT's 21CN programme, moving from creating the vision and planning, to delivering the future to customers. We chose Cardiff and the surrounding area primarily because of its impressive track record in pioneering the benefits of, and attracting inward investment in, advanced communications and information technology. The area's demographics are also representative of the UK market and critically, BT Wholesale’s customer base. It’s essential that 21CN meets the needs of operators, service providers, businesses and consumers alike.”

Through the industry consultation forum, Consult21, communications and service providers can understand and influence what is a critically important programme for the whole industry. Their input into the planning of customer migration will be key in making this programme a success. BT will be working closely with communications providers in Cardiff and the surrounding area to ensure customers are informed of developments relating to their services in the run up to the migration.

Matt Bross, BT Group’s chief technology officer said: “This rollout will be the first time anywhere in the world that customers will have communications services provided over such a radical next generation network. The operational experience that we gain in Cardiff and the surrounding area will enable us to move full steam ahead and deliver 21CN to everyone in the UK – migrating a total of 30 million lines – in just four years. It’s an enormous technical and operational challenge but will enable customers to benefit from compelling new services”.

21CN is the world’s most radical next generation network transformation programme, requiring an investment by BT of up to £10 billion by the end of the decade.

Solair

While this is interesting, I suspect it's also a lot of marketing and PR spin from BT. These technologies are nothing amazingly new and are being rolled out by other operators too. It's just the general industry trend at the moment, not something all that unique to BT. They are really getting great milage out of the PR though!

E.g. Smart Telecom's network is basically similar to what they're describing.

The reality is that what end users want is fast, cheap phone and broadband. BT's choice of backhaul equipment and switching systems isn't really all that relevant provided it achieves that end result. Plain old telephone customers won't actually notice any difference at all.

It's just the replacement / upgrading of local exchanges to MSANs (Multiservice access nodes)

Shouldn't be all that complex as many of the vendors (e.g. in the case of eircom, ericsson and alcatel) have upgrade paths for their exsisting hardware so bit by bit they turn into MSANs rather than PSTN switches.

Although, in the BT case, one of their major British suppliers, Marconi, who provided the majority of the local switches in the UK, didn't make it to the short list for the 21CN network at all.

Long term, the major benefit this will have is to BT as it'll cut costs and make their network far more flexible and adaptable going forward.