1. What technical reasons are there for the move to a new network?
Currently, the UK has a set of networks that have been built up over decades, with different layers added for new devices, applications and technologies that have emerged along the way. This means that high levels of manual integration are needed to help them interact. The new 21st century network will simplify this process by establishing a single platform for communications devices already in use and new ones yet to be developed. In effect, BT is replacing a set of single-purpose networks with a single, multi-purpose network. Over time, this will enable real-time interaction between many different communications devices and make the converged world a day-to-day reality for businesses and consumers. It is the most ambitious and exciting transformation programme in the communication industry, anywhere in the world.
2. What technologies will the 21st century network be based on?
The 21st century network is based on Internet Protocol (IP); this is a language or set of rules that computers use to talk to each other and exchange data and is distinct from the world-wide web. This protocol is not based on constant connection between different users, and so is more flexible than other protocols. It will also have far fewer components than the current infrastructure - nearly 50 per cent in many areas - in terms of, for example, switches, hubs and routers, which will help to enhance network efficiency.
3. Who is developing the 21st century network?
The network is being developed by BT on behalf of the whole communications industry.
4. Doesn't this mean that BT has a major advantage over competitors?
No. BT has made undertakings to Ofcom that it will design and implement the 21st century network to ensure equivalent network access for all communications providers, including its own retail businesses.
5. How is the rest of the industry involved in the 21st century network?
The development and rollout of the 21st century network are being aided by cross-industry co-operation on an unprecedented scale. Careful planning and collaboration are vital to ensuring smooth development of the network and implementation with as little disruption as possible. The process is being managed by a cross-industry group called 'Consult 21', which ensures that all industry parties are properly informed and represented and can contribute to the plans.
In October 2006, a cross-industry communications campaign was launched to tell customers about the 'switch on' to the new network. The switched-on campaign is using a number of communications channels including web (www.switchedonuk.org), direct marketing, door-drop and a customer service centre, to reach 26 million households and 2 million single-site businesses over the course of five years.
6. How much is BT investing on the 21st century network?
BT expects to invest up to £10 billion in delivering the 21st century network programme over the next five years. This investment exceeds the government's planned expenditure on the UK's motorways and trunk roads improvements.
7. What network cost savings will there be?
We expect that the 21st century network will deliver significantly lower costs, continuing a trend that has seen the cost of communications has fallen dramatically in recent years. Against 21st century network investment, BT aims to deliver £1 billion of cash savings every year and we expect to achieve this level of cost reduction from the financial year 2008/9. This lower cost base will allow us to continue to offer better value for money to our customers, as we have done for some time, and to maintain the ability to invest in a national infrastructure as well as a range of new products and services for the future.
8. Is 21st century network UK-only?
No. BT has a number of different platforms across the globe as a result of growth, mergers, acquisitions and alliances. These multiple platforms are being integrated into a simpler but more powerful global IP-based network, with country-specific network access to customer sites. We expect to have established virtual private networks (VPN) in more than 160 countries by the end of 2007, all underpinned by the single network infrastructure.
9. Is 21CN going to be as reliable as current BT PSTN (99.999% availability?)
The resilience of the 21st century network has been designed to be at least equivalent to that of today's networks.
10. How resilient will 21CN be?
21CN is designed to be highly resilient. It is a physically simpler, IP-based network, which simplifies network management and combines this with diverse routing and improved systems. And although it has fewer switching elements than current networks, they are engineered to match peaks of demand with hardware and software resilience.
11. Isn't IP like the internet? I don't want my traffic going over the internet.
The internet is a term widely used to describe the public network that we connect to when accessing the world-wide web. However, IP is something different: it is a protocol - a language, a set of rules - that computers use to talk to each other and exchange data. Communication providers employ a range of security measures, using technology combined with operational processes, procedures and standards, to protect and monitor IP networks. The 21st century network meets the same high standards that are applied to today's network.
12. How does this affect the security of my communications? Is the new network be as secure as the existing one?
21CN meets or exceeds the levels of inherent security of BT's current platforms.
13. Is 21CN more prone to internet security threats than the current network?
In a telecommunications context 'security' is the ability of a network to resist attack from, for example, software virus and hackers - and also includes secure data transmission and the physical security of our buildings and infrastructure. For some the word internet can raise concerns about security. But with 21CN, calls are not routed over the internet. They are carried on our dedicated high capacity IP network.
14. As 21CN is internet technology based, isn't the network more vulnerable to hackers for eavesdropping, fraud or bringing down the network?
Many IP networks are in use today and successfully carry critical communications and applications, using a range of security technologies, processes and best practices. 21CN is based on internet protocols, but it is a private network with secure gateways into the public internet, rather than being part of the public internet. In building 21CN, the potential vulnerabilities have been taken into account, and security measures put in place to protect the infrastructure and communications.