This page uses Javascript. Your browser either doesn't support Javascript or you have it turned off. To see this page as it is meant to appear please use a Javascript enabled browser.
BT logo
redcare logo





21CN FAQ's

21CN General

21CN Impact on Redcare Services

Further Information


21CN General

What is 21CN & why is BT Doing It?
21CN is BT's next generation network - an advanced communications network for the future.  An end-to-end IP-based network, 21CN will consolidate BT's complex network and systems infrastructure to ensure that the delivery of the next generation of converged services is faster, more efficient and more cost-effective than ever before. But 21CN is not simply a network transformation; rather it's a radical overhaul of products, systems, process and a fundamental remaking of our business. More info here.

What Activity is Taking Place, and When
Roll-out of 21CN has begun with migration of customers’ PSTN services in the Cardiff area. Rollout will continue in the South Wales area throughout 2007. Customer transfer will be underway in all regions of the UK within the initial phases of national migration (expected by August 2008). The transfer of broadband lines will be underway by October 2007 which means that around half of UK customers will potentially have access to the next generation wholesale broadband service at its launch in early 2008. 21CN migration will be substantially complete by the end of the decade.  The final customers will be migrated in 2011.

More details of the rollout schedule are available here.
 
What communication is happening?

  • The development of 21CN is being aided by cross-industry co-operation through 'Consult 21', a forum which provides a regular open platform for all communications providers to understand and influence BT's plans for 21CN.
  • A national migration programme has been agreed with the communications industry. A timetable of activity showing when each region will be migrated has been published. An industry-wide approach to communication regarding 21CN has been developed.
  • A key part of this programme is ‘switched-on’ - a campaign of public information to make residential and single-site business customers across the UK completely aware of the future benefits of the migration to BT's next-generation network as well as the potential interruptions and changes to their services.
  • Prior to being migrated, customers will receive communications from switched-on, to explain the process. Larger customers will be communicated with by their own Communications Provider, which includes BT and its own retail customers.
  • More information about the rollout programme is available here and here.

21CN Impact on Redcare Services

Will Redcare alarm signalling services be compatible with the 21CN?
BT Redcare’s alarm signalling network has been tested under both laboratory conditions and under simulated live conditions. All redcare network testing conducted to date has proved to be 100% successful and shows that redcare products will work normally on the network once it has been switched-on.

BT expects the vast majority of customer premises equipment (CPE) connected to current telephone lines and broadband services will work normally on the network once it has been switched-on.

Results of completed CPE testing can be found at the ‘Switched On’ website here. In addition to what is shown on the list, further items of Redcare CPE have been successfully tested and the results are in the process of being added to the list. Testing is also planned for additional CPE and the results will be added shortly.  If you have an enquiry about a specific item of Redcare CPE not on the list, please email us with the details here.

What about CPE that is not supplied by BT Redcare?
Queries regarding CPE compatibility with 21CN should be directed to the CPE manufacturer. Further information on BTs testing programme can be found here. 

What will be the impact of 21CN migration on Redcare alarm signalling services?
There should not be any significant impact on Redcare services. There may be a slight increase in BT Working On line reports. These should be handled as per normal business processes.

Will breaks in telephone service during migration affect Redcare signalling?
Whilst telephone service may experience a few minutes down-time, the migration activity should not affect Redcare signalling. More …..

Redcare monitors line condition not via line current but by a constant transmission of a self powered, out of speechband signal from the STU (premise equipment) to a scanner at the BT telephone exchange building. Where the scanner is situated in the exchange means the path between the scanner and STU remains intact and will not be broken by migration activity.

Will breaks on telephone service during migration cause ‘false alarms’ to Police or Fire Authorities?
In the extremely rare event that Redcare does detect a break in the copper path (telephone line) during migration, a signal is generated to the Alarm Receiving Centre. The Alarm Receiving Centre have the ability to differentiate between the signal types for a line break or an intruder or fire alarm and act accordingly.

Will GSM signalling be affected?
GSM path will not be affected by the changeover, therefore alarms transmitted over the GSM path during this period should be treated as normal.

What will the impact be on end users of alarm systems?
End users will already be aware of the changeover and this should be for a few minutes only. Panels that detect local line problems may indicate a problem. This is not specific to Redcare connections, as it affects all alarm panels with local line monitoring facility.  BT recommends that remote resets should be performed; end users should contact their alarm company for advice.

Will the Alarm Receiving Centre receive ‘BT Working On Line’ notifications during migration?
No, because there will be no impact on the Redcare signalling (link to above), BT Working On Line messages will not be generated on migration. However, some Redcare connections where Broadband also exists on the line will need modification in the telephone exchange prior to migration. BT working on line notifications will be generated on these connections and should be treated in the usual manner.

How do I report a Redcare fault during 21CN migration?
As there will be no significant impact on Redcare alarm signalling services, any problems experienced during migration with Redcare services, should be reported in the usual manner.

Where can I find more about telephone line breaks?
Here.

I am a customer, how can I find out when my telephone line will be migrated?
You can check this here.

I am an Alarm Receiving Centre, how can I find out when my customers will be migrated?
As there will be no significant impact on Redcare alarm signalling services, BT Redcare will not normally supply ARCs with advance notifications of exchange migrations.

How is Redcare communicating with ARCs?
We have communicated guidelines to ARCs through personal briefings and our email newsletter. We will continue to do this. We will be working closely with ARCs affected by the early migration activity to provide necessary information and advice.

How is BT communicating with the Security Industry?
Throughout the 21CN programme, BT is communicating with CPE manufacturers and other affected industries. To reach these groups, BT is working with key industry bodies, engaging in information sharing and dialogue regarding operational issues important to their members, such as migration timing and impact, compatibility and testing. For example, BT is working closely with the security industry through engagement with the BSIA. After a series of meetings with BT, the BSIA has formed two sub working groups, one technical and one strategic, to deal specifically with 21CN related issues.

BT is ensuring that all of the key 21CN related information is provided to these two groups. The initial focus of the engagement is the delivery of a test programme working with alarm panel, digicom and ARC equipment manufacturers to identify any potential compatibility issues. This will be followed up with communication to the broader industry via the BSIA and BT’s communication channels such as the switched on website. In parallel with this, operational schedules for the migrations are being shared to allow the industry to plan for the migrations.

I have heard that the 21st Century Network will offer a Fibre connection to premises. How will this affect Redcare?
The move to 21CN involves changing and upgrading the equipment in the exchange but does not imply or require any change to the delivery method to customers’ premises. Therefore, the existing copper network will be used as it is now and Redcare services will remain compatible.  As fibre becomes deployed in the future Redcare will continue to enhance its products and services to be compatible with these new delivery technologies, in the meantime Redcare will continue to operate on the existing copper infrastructure. Please click here. To view our current range of products and download the information on Redcare Assure which is compatible with both copper and fibre networks.

How will CCTV be affected?
RS1000 will not be affected by the 21CN changeover as the service operates over fibre links which are not affected by 21CN. Normal service will continue.
Customers with ISDN or PSTN CCTV should check with their supplier for equipment compatibility enquiries.

How will Transcomm Services be affected?
We do not expect any significant impact on Transcomm services.

I have a leased line/kilostream/X25 line, will this be affected by 21CN?
No, by their nature these lines will not be affected by the current work BT is undertaking with 21CN. To find out more visit here.

Will my ISDN backup for my link in to Transcomm be affected by 21CN?
Independently of the 21CN programme, some types of ISDN are being withdrawn as part of BTs portfolio evolution programme – specifically ISDN2 DASS. BT is working with customers to migrate these to an alternative. Further details of products being retired can be found here.

When will my Transcomm ISDN link be migrated?
ISDN services will have a separate migration date to that of PSTN and Broadband.

Will the ISDN equipment supplied by Transcomm be compatible with 21CN?
Whilst there are no perceived issues with Transcomm equipment on 21CN, thorough testing will be completed. We will update you here when we have more information available. 

I connect to Transcomm over the internet via Broadband.  How will this be affected and will my router still work with 21CN?
To learn about how Broadband lines and associated CPE will be affected by migration, please visit here.

I use Sarian Routers to connect to Transcomm, will these be affected by 21CN?
Only the Mobitex radio interface is used for your connection to Transcomm which is unaffected by the migration to 21CN.

How will Auto-ID be affected?
Customers will fall into one of three categories - those with standalone equipment, those with Asset Tracking Solutions operating within their own network and those whose solution uses the Auto-ID Platform.

1 - Those with standalone equipment will have no network connection so will not be affected by the 21CN implementation
2 -Customers who are currently using their own network are using standard LAN and WAN so should not be affected by the 21 CN implementation. However, BT recommend advice is sought from customers’ Communication Provider or CPE provider to confirm.
3- Customers currently using the Central Auto-ID platform access via the internet should not have any problems. However, BT recommend advice is sought from customers’ Communication Provider, Internet Service Provider or CPE provider to confirm.


Further Information

Where can I go  for further information on 21CN?

Switched on website
BT’s 21 CN website 
BT Redcare specific information

For Redcare-specific issues, talk to your BT Redcare account manager.