BT’s 21CN Compatibility testing & engagement programme. November 2008.

BT’s 21CN Compatibility testing & engagement programme. November 2008. Mike Piggott & Paul ffitch Caution advised. Some of the information in this presentation relates to plans subject to consultation and therefore change.

Agenda:- 21CN Programme update CPE Implications Testing & result publication Manufacturer/Industry Association engagement Internal/external operational readiness monitoring End user comms Industry comms Test failure spreadsheet Critical CPE special treatments Line reversion process Grooming process CPE diagnostic process Escalation route for utilities & environment agency Pro-active external trials PF+ learning objectives RFI process cpe21@bt.com

21CN – the programme has evolved • Continual customer feedback helps to inform and enhance the programme • Now prioritising the delivery of next generation services ahead of replicating old services • Introducing windows for voluntary upgrades to new services before planned migration • The scope of 21CN has also been expanded, to include: • The introduction of software-driven innovation capabilities • More detailed components for enterprise customers • New technology to improve mobile access • Consistency between 21CN and NGA

21CN – Objective remains unchanged Legacy network 21CN platform PSTN Migration Converged Core Class 5 Call Server Fibre orCopper WWW DSL IP-MPLS-WDM ISP Content EndUser ~5knodes ~100nodes 17 networks to ONE global platform

Advantages of 21CN • Reliability • Performance • Cost • Resilience • Features • Faster new service delivery • Software innovation PSTN Migration Converged Core Class 5 Call Server Fibre orCopper WWW DSL IP-MPLS-WDM ISP Content EndUser ~5knodes ~100nodes

21CN - key milestone overview

Services on 21CN vs. legacy PSTN: • New PSTN line cards in new MSAN edge equipment. • IP packet based transport of voice data (legacy PSTN uses switched circuit transport). ISDN: • New ISDN line cards in new MSAN edge equipment. • IP packet based transport of voice data (legacy PSTN uses switched circuit transport). Broadband: • New ADSL/ADSL2+ line cards in new MSAN edge equipment. • Same IP packet based transport as existing broadband. Some of these changes cause certain characteristics to differ from those on the existing network.

CPE related 21CN differences PSTN loop current: maximum off-hook loop current reducing. ringing implementation moving to balanced ringing. PSTN and ISDN echo cancellation used unless fast modems are detected. audio path discontinuities when jitter buffers adapt. end to end delay increasing. Broadband No fundamental changes expected.

Objectives of CPE compatibility testing To help identify CPE compatibility related issues so that appropriate solutions can be communicated to all relevant stakeholders. To help manufacturers and other stakeholders ensure that CPE functions properly on 21CN. To help ensure that CPE compatibility related issues are constrained to an acceptable level. Feedback into the 21CN design, if and when compatibility issues are found.

Testing environments £150M investment in testing capability. Main CPE testing sites at Adastral Park and Swansea. BT’s CPE testing team Adastral based; isolated model; experimental build capability; second line diagnostics & investigation focused. Swansea 8 testing bays & breakout; part of live 21CN network; supports more independent testing; supports high volume testing. Both sites open to CPs, manufacturers, industry associations where testing is deemed relevant. Results are published.

PSTN Test Result commentary Testing to date has confirmed that where equipment complies with the full range of specifications and guidelines in the UK Transmission Plan and BT Supplier Information Notes (both in the public domain), it is compatible with 21CN. The vast majority of kit works on 21CN. Some issues have been identified with equipment and data signalling protocols used by some telecare and security devices that do not fully conform to these published specifications. The root cause of failure for these is that the signalling protocol and equipment combinations do not communicate successfully at levels of E2E network delay below the guideline maximums specified in the UK Transmission Plan (NICC document ND1701). Such devices are vulnerable to E2E delays already encountered under existing network conditions. With exception of Monarch, only other issue is with echo cancellers affecting some telemetry & ATMs. Network fix being pursued with vendors.

ISDN/ADSL Testing progress ISDN testing has just begun with digital PBXs on ISDN30e. 5 PBX’s thus far have been tested with positive results. ISDN testing will accelerate next calendar year with service availability at Swansea. ADSL representative sample testing is complete with no issues found.

http://21cntestingdb.bt.com/

Results key Eg. Altered ringing cadence Eg. Switch to tone dialling Eg. Works in test, but fails at delays < 300ms

www.switchedonuk.org

Engagement model Reporting back into Consult21. Publication of test results. CPE related policies & processes. Incompatibility resolution. Test partner kept abreast of public domain updates. CPE RFI response. Risk mitigation. Etc etc …. • CP’s • BSIA – British Security Industry Association (Security systems) • ENA – Energy Networks Association (Gas & Electricity) • WITS – Water Industry Telemetry Standards (Water Industry) • Environment Agency • Link Network (ATMs) • Home Office – specifically custodial services (Tagging devices) • APACS – UK Payments Association (EPOS/EFTPOS) • Payphones • CAA/NATS – Civil Aviation Authority & National Air Traffic Services • Trinity House – lighthouses, coastguard • Network Rail (Railside emergency phones, signalling etc) • Lifts & Emergency Phones • Fire Industry Association • TSA – Telecare Services Association (Social & Telecare for the vulnerable)

Communications • End user • Switched-on doordrop, switched-on website, via industry associations, via secondary engagements, external deck (POAP & Strategy), PF1 & Grooming deck….. • Industry • Via Consult21, Call Centre Q&As, “How to deal with CPE queries”, Backgrounder documents, BT Group Policy, C21–IM-022 “Managing CPE Compatibility”, Utilities Briefing & Escalation Route

Test Failure Spreadsheet(Test D/B drop down menu CPE/Documentation/Test Reviews)

Critical CPE special treatments How can you find out what’s on the list? In the Customer Impact Matrix How did we define what is Critical CPE? By consulting with you – its now under change control within the Customer Impact Matrix List of Critical CPE devices: Telecare devices Telemetry devices Security devices ATM machines EPOS/EFTPOS/PDQ equipment Public payphones Textphones Digital & analogue PBXs Emergency phones Custodial tagging devices

Line Regression Process CP MCC OR CPE Team BT Operate High Level Interaction Diagram CPs Fault Diagnosis Process Manage PSTN Faults (Openreach) Manage Migration Faults (21C IN-Life Ops) Line Regression Approval Process (MCC Stability) Line Regression Implementation Process (21C In-Life & OR) Close Fault & Handover to 20C BAU Teams Line Re-Migration Scheduling & Implementation (BTO & OR) Perform Root Cause Analysis (21C CPE Team)

Grooming process Industry Advised CCPE Grooming Window Closed CPs Advised of CCPE Services regressed CP PEW Notifica-tion CPs Advised of CCPE Services to be Groomed CCPE Grooming Schedule Created. CPs Identified Alarms CCPE Services Grooming Industry Advise CCPE Services for Grooming Master Record of Groomed & Regressed Services Updated Telemetry Care CCPE Services Pre-Jumpering (possible further grooming pass) CCPE Regression Schedule Created. CPs Identified Further CCPE Services advised CCPE Regression Schedule Updated. CPs Identified CCPE PEW Raised CCPE Services Regression Further CCPE Services advised Blanket PEW Period M + nn Hrs M 11w 7w 4w 1w 9w 8w Migration Timeline KEY: CCPE – Critical Customer Premise Equipment M – Point of Migration Comms Groom Regress Industry

CPE diagnostic process CP MCC OR CPE Team BT Operate Perform Post Regression Testing Perform Physical Jumpering Update Necessary OSS Systems Close Fault & Inform Openreach Analyse CPE Related Problem Perform Logical Line Regression Recommend Suitable CPE Problem Fix (If Applicable) BT Operate 21C CPE Team 21C In-Life Team 21C CPE Team 21C In-Life Team 21C In-Life Team 21C In-Life Team OR Field Engineers ‘21CN In-Life Operations team’ can be contacted on 0800 811 343 at any point of time either for updates or for escalating in case of issues. Is Fault Related to Incompatible CPE Confirmed? 2 CPE Diagnostic Team K C I K C I 3 Openreach

For Utilities & Environment Agency • “Batphone” facility for critical public infrastructure providers • Gas, water, electricity, environment agency • http://www.btwholesale.com/pages/downloads/21_Century_Network_ • Community/Supporting_Information_For_Utilities_v3.doc

Agenda:- 21CN Programme update CPE Implications Testing & result publication Manufacturer/Industry Association engagement Internal/external operational readiness monitoring End user comms Industry comms Test failure spreadsheet Critical CPE special treatments Line reversion process Grooming process CPE diagnostic process Escalation route for utilities & environment agency Pro-active external trials PF+ learning objectives RFI process cpe21@bt.com

Summary Significant investment in CPE testing. Vast majority of CPE compatible. Testing underpinned by external consultation. Test results available. Compatibility issues being managed. Mitigations in place to protect customer experience.

Useful information & how to get engaged More information?then contact helen.nurse@bt.com Or visit these sites The CPE testing database: http://21cntestingdb.bt.com The Consult21 website: www.btwholesale.com/consult21 The independent public information website covering the process of migration: http://www.switchedonuk.org For general information about BT’s 21CN programme go to: http://www.btplc.com/21CN/

Questions  Answers

BT’s 21CN Compatibility testing & engagement programme. November 2008.