Setting the Standard in the 21st Century Network Era

BT’s 21st century network (21CN) is a world first, a plan more extensive and radical that anywhere else today. As the industry moves towards this next generation network (NGN) era, BT believes the standards deployed in 21CN will be watched with interest around the globe – by network operators, equipment manufacturers and service providers alike.

But what are standards? Standards are published documents approved by a recognised body, that provide technical or other precise specifications to be used consistently as a rule, guideline, or definition. They are created by bringing together the experience and expertise of all interested parties. In the telecoms industry global standards bodies are largely made up of equipment suppliers, network operators and service providers who develop consistent definitions and specifications for telecommunications networks, equipment and processes. Examples of some of the more significant bodies looking at NGNs include the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) – its technical body TISPAN is looking at NGN deployment and interconnectivity; the Mutli Service Forum (MSF) is committed to developing and promoting open architecture, multi-service switching systems and the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is focussed on defining the intelligence domain that will underpin real-time services.

The adoption of common standards ensures calls and information passes smoothly and seamlessly between cable, mobile and BT networks, and between the UK and rest of the world. This in essence is interoperability – one of the key principles behind the development of 21CN – the ability of diverse network equipment being able to work together, or in layman's terms to 'talk' to one another without the need for the development of bespoke software and/or hardware interfaces.

But standards are also important in the NGN context as they will help the industry work together to enhance customer choice and experience. Based on global standards, 21CN will support a more dynamic and exciting applications environment where creativity will not be restricted to traditional players. As more service providers, application developers and device manufacturers bring offerings to market compatible with industry standards, this will result in the more rapid deployment of innovative products than previously possible giving customers much greater choice and an improved experience.

Involved in creating national and international telecoms standards from its origins in telegraphy over 100 years ago, today BT is active in more than 50 standards bodies and fora. We believe that as society continues to embrace more sophisticated and innovative means of communicating, the availability of interfaces which deliver common open internationally recognised industry standards is key. BT continues to play a key role in influencing the development of international NGN standards both to maintain the technical integrity of its innovative 21CN and to stimulate development of new services from across the industry and beyond.

To learn more about standards visit the ‘How does it work’ section of BT’s 21CN web site at www.btplc.com/21CN