BT21CN - What it is and why it is needed

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What is it?

21CN is the registered trademark name given to BT’s Next Generation network programme, under which it is creating an IP-based national fibre network to enable communication in a range of formats and support the demand for voice and data convergence. 21CN enables ISPs to provide faster and more stable broadband at ADSL2+ speeds. Based on the rollout of the Wholesale Broadband Connect (WBC) platform, the scope of 21CN is also expanding. Speeds of up to 40Mbps can now be experienced using Fibre-to-the-Cabinet, while faster upload speeds afforded by Annex M and even faster download speeds achieved by Fibre-to-the-Premises are currently being trialled by Entanet. WBC rollout has now achieved 55% coverage of UK businesses and homes and is expected to reach 75% by Spring 2011.

Why is it needed?

As telecommunications evolved in the UK, BT deployed a number of disparate and unconnected networks to provide a range of services - from basic telephony to complex Internet connectivity. This approach inevitably left BT with a number of issues when looking to provide the next generation of high speed data connectivity. Its technical experts therefore proposed a radical replacement programme that takes the network to a single unified core.

Under its 21CN strategy, by 2012 BT is replacing traditional concentrators, switching equipment and DSLAMs at exchanges with MSANs (Multi-Service Access Nodes). The 5,500 MSANs terminate all phone and broadband connections and link into over 100 ‘Metro nodes’ where IP packets are routed and switched. The Metro nodes then link to 20 core nodes that are able to handle traffic in multiples of 10Gbps.