End User Equipment Testing.
As part of the preparation for migration to 21CN it is important that any issues with Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) are isolated and resolved. To help achieve this BT is engaging with stakeholders on a CPE testing programme.
Work will be undertaken to test the compatibility of a wide range of end users’ CPE including phones, faxes, modems, PBXs and other equipment used on PSTN, ISDN2e, ISDN30e, ISDN30 DASS2, DPNSS and Broadband lines on the 21CN. Already some ‘Early Warning’ tests have been undertaken on simulated 21CN equipment in advance full end to end test capability on the 21CN test environment.
Some of the work undertaken includes activity on the type of ringing implementation used on the PSTN. The new 21CN network will mean we move from a predominantly unbalanced to a predominantly balanced ringing implementation, in line with European trends. While the large majority of CPE is likely to work successfully with balanced ringing, testing needs to undertaken to check the compatibility of all equipment on the new network. BT has so far completed PSTN balanced ring tests on around 300 small apparatus CPE and around 30 BT analogue telephone systems.
If there are concerns or issues discovered while testing, these will be fed in to the 21CN design process, where appropriate. The CPE testing programme will also communicate appropriate information, recommendations and results out to stakeholders.
The Consult21 Conformance Test Working Group has led on this activity with customers. If you would like to know more about the full list of CPE equipment that is being tested, or think that there are any additional items that BT should consider them please see http://www.btwholesale.com/consult21