Involved in creating national and international telecoms standards from its origins in telegraphy over 100 years ago, today BT is active in more than 50 standards bodies and fora. As BT moves to 21CN, BT considers the use of common standards by network operators and equipment suppliers around the world as being more important than ever.
But what are standards? Standards are published documents approved by a recognised body, that provide technical or other precise specifications to be used consistently as a rule, guideline, or definition. They are created by bringing together the experience and expertise of all interested parties. In the telecoms industry standards bodies are largely made up of equipment suppliers, network operators and service providers. The standards developed for telecommunications networks, equipment and processes ensure consistent definitions and specifications are used across the industry worldwide.
BT believes the standards deployed in 21CN will be watched with interest around the globe by network operators, equipment manufacturers and service providers alike. They are important in the next generation network context for the following reasons:
Enhancing customer choice and experience - Through 21CN, BT is committed providing a more simple, seamless, integrated communications experience for everyone giving access to personalised services from any network and any device. Based on global standards, 21CN will support a more dynamic and exciting applications environment where creativity will not be restricted to traditional players. As more service providers, application developers and device manufacturers bring offerings to market compatible with industry standards, this will result in the more rapid deployment of innovative products than previously possible giving customers much greater choice and an improved experience.
Helping the telecoms industry to work together - Industry players can leverage IT and network systems from partners to build and develop their own services through common standards. They make it easier for a more diverse range of often smaller players to enter the market and promote innovation. Under 21CN communications and service providers are set to have more flexible access to network functionality via standard interfaces. This will enable them to bring tailored and differentiated products and services to market more rapidly.
Network interoperability - We believe that industry players who are investing billions in next generation networks around the world should aim to make them interoperable and compatible. Standards allow any-to-any interconnection of networks without resorting to bilateral special arrangements. Interoperability is one of the key principles behind the development of 21CN - the ability of diverse network equipment being able to work together, or in layman’s terms to ‘talk’ to one another without the need for the development of bespoke software and/or hardware interfaces. The adoption of common standards ensures calls and information passes smoothly and seamlessly between cable, mobile and BT networks, and between the UK and rest of the world.
Economies of scale - Global standards allowed BT to be able to choose the best possible technology platforms from the best providers available... worldwide... to meet its 21CN objectives. Standards allow equipment manufacturers to address the global market place thereby allowing the industry and end user customers to benefit from the cost advantages of economies of scale. ‘Off-the-shelf’ equipment offers the added benefit of the reduced cost and risk of technology introduction and on-going maintenance.