|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 21st Century Network Comes To Northern Ireland |
Northern Ireland is set to begin the journey for the new generation of BT networks.
The 21st Century Network (21CN) programme will be developed and accelerated to completion here ahead of other UK regions….giving Northern Ireland a communications advantage yet again by being the first UK region to complete 21CN migration.
The rationale behind the move is simple, according to Ian Livingston, BT’s Head of Retail, who was in Belfast to announce the development recently.
“Our network was designed to transport voice calls,” he explains. “But, in order to properly facilitate and accelerate modern communications, we need to develop a converged, multimedia world where our customers can access any communications service from any device, anywhere…..and all at broadband speed.”
That convergence will link the static and mobile worlds, traditional calls and other means of communication….allowing BT to create services for the way people work and will work in the future.
“In essence, we’re bringing various networks into one Internet Protocol (IP) network, delivering seamless convergence of their voice, mobility, video and data solutions.”
“Northern Ireland is already ahead of the game on the communications front with almost total broadband availability,” adds Ian Livingston. “This will put the region even further ahead, and it is a clear sign of our commitment.”
BT’s Retail Chief says that the advent of the 21st Century Network will bring significant advantages for Northern Ireland-based businesses. “We’ve already been working hard on effectively quadrupling the speed of broadband here, and the new network will work hand in hand with that.”
He also hinted that broadband prices might, in fact, go even lower…..providing more value for money for BT’s business customers.
21st Century Network will combine speed with much more versatility and capability. It will be designed and built to handle high volumes of data and video….a lot more than voice call traffic, in other words.
“The network is specifically geared to work with the communications devices of the future,” says Ian Livingston. “That means PDA’s. other handhelds and whatever future technological development emerges.”
The network also supports the rapid growth of TV-based internet services, from home email through the video on demand and other services.
BT expects a relatively rapid development and rollout of the new network. “In BT we’ve already kicked off pilot programmes, and we’re moving forward quickly,” adds Alan Hall of BT Northern Ireland. “By 2008, locally we expect to be switching 8,000 customers a week over to the 21st Century Network. This is a very exciting time and we will be keeping customers fully advised of the timescales ”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|