BT will initially migrate around 350,000 customer lines to the new network, including many lines 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 converged communications services. It will give customers greater control over the way they choose to use communications services in the future. There will be far fewer components in the new network – possibly 50% fewer switches, hubs and routers. It will also see the closure of BT's old Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
The migration 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: “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 Cardiff was chosen "primarily because of its impressive track record in pioneering the benefits of, and attracting inward investment in, advanced communications and information technology."
He added that 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, said Reynolds.
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 claims to be 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.
