What is 21CN?
At the beginning of the second half of 2006, British Telecom began the migration of approximately 350,000 customers in the Cardiff, Bridgend and Pontypridd areas (UK) to an extraordinary new telecommunications network, a network that will radically transform the way in which we communicate. But what exactly is 21CN…
The 21st Century Network, or 21CN, is BT’s Next Generation Network (NGN), a vision for the future that will revolutionise the UK’s telecom system.
By replacing the existing multiple, service-specific, networks with a single Internet Protocol (IP) based network, BT aim to reduce maintenance costs whilst increasing the ease and speed at which new services are incorporated through an open applications architecture.
In essence, 21CN will be a single private network, with services such as voice calls, Internet access and streaming media all running simultaneously as applications rather than independent networks. Much the same as today’s Internet users access email, use messaging systems such as MSN, place phone calls via Voice Over IP (VoIP) - in the form of applications such as Skype - and stream Internet radio and television.
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Why The Change?
Traditionally, telecommunications networks have been service specific. This presents quite a problem when looking to implement new services, in particular the cost of execution and maintenance. With 21CN, BT aim to converge its current multiple, service-specific, networks into one single network based on the Internet Protocol (IP).
Additionally, the next generation network will provide an Intelligence layer in the form of an “iNode” which will be used for, among other things, call set-up, session control, billing and destination address translation.
British Telecom’s 21st Century Network aims to construct and support a global next generation network (NGN), combining the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standards with regional bodies to lead the development of global standards. Through the use of a single network architecture, BT aims to reduce maintenance costs (an estimated £1 billion per year*) and, by running services at the application layer, provide an easier and faster mechanism for service providers to create and implement additional facilities for consumers.
Whilst the change in underlying technology may not be apparent to the average user, the opportunity for open Application Programming Iinterface’s(API) and application platforms, as well as the provision of reusable components, will see a surge in the number of services, and customisation of services, at the end user level.
However, merely simplifying the network architecture alone is not sufficient. As there are numerous systems in place for the various service networks, an overhaul of these is required too. Currently, the BT network is managed by approximately 1300 applications, 21CN aims to reduce this to a more manageable 14 platforms.
What Does 21CN Have To Offer?
One of the key objectives behind the 21CN implementation is to enable the end user a greater level of control by allowing the consumer to interact directly with the 21CN infrastructure. It is believed that, by 2010, 8 out of 10 user interactions will be direct with the network, cutting out the intervention of BT or service providers.
The 21st Century Network’s iNode intelligence layer will provide the ability to offer mobile sessions that will enable users to login from anywhere with any device. In addition, the iNode, along with other key components, will give service providers the opportunity to offer features such as location based routing of services. For the consumer, this could mean the automatic transferral of call routing from one device to another dependant on their location, for example, home to car to office, as well as the sharing of a personal contacts directory between devices. A model reminiscent of the Windows Live ID (formally the Microsoft Passport Network / MSN) framework.
By using IP based architecture, 21CN will embody the stability and flexibility of a standard computer network. It will allow the migration of multiple and custom network systems as well as provide alternative routing of services. Whereas the Remote Concentrator Unit (RCU – Analogue to digital converters) in a traditional circuit switched network may only be connected to one local exchange, each Multi Service Access Node (MSAN) in 21CN will be connected to at least two Metro Nodes.
21CN aims to empower the consumer, offering customisation, control and flexibility from anywhere, using any device along with simpler, faster integration of new services.
* Source: BT Wholesale Markets: Delivering 21CN Presentation 2003/2005