'Migration' refers to the transfer of BT Openreach lines from the existing network to the new network, known as 21CN. This will involve the transfer of some 30 million lines - about 20 million customer site connections - and will involve PSTN (voice services), broadband and ISDN. It will affect all customers of any communication provider, from residential customers to large corporates and government departments.
Customers are being migrated to the new network through a regional roll-our across the UK. Migration began in the Cardiff area in November 2006 with the transfer of voice services for a small number of customers and roll-out will continue until July 2007. Once BT has conducted a comprehensive review of the migration in this area, in consultation with the telecoms industry, it will begin a UK-wide roll-out. The UK roll-out is scheduled to start in January 2008 and is expected to be completed in 2011.
The plans have been developed by BT, aided by cross-industry collaboration on an unprecedented scale. The process is being managed by an industry-wide body called 'Consult21', which ensures that all industry parties are properly informed and represented and can contribute to the plans. There are two different approaches to migration: 1. Migration of voice services, then broadband Most of the country will have voice services migrated first. However, in some metropolitan areas, broadband will be migrated before voice services. This is being done so that the relevant areas - which account for 60% of the UK's broadband usage - can be established on 21CN before the launch of next generation broadband services in January 2008. A cross-industry communications programme has been developed to tell customers about migration to the new network. The 'switched-on' campaign includes a dedicated website, www.switchedonuk.org, and call centre (0800 030 4000). You will receive detailed information prior to their migration, usually around a week before you are switched-on to the new network. The website also allows you to find out your switched-on date by entering your landline number.
2. Migration of broadband, then voice services