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

17 networks to ONE global platform

PSTN Migration Converged Core

EndUser

~5knodes

~100nodes

DSLIP-MPLS-WDM

Content ISP

WWW

Class 5 Call ServerFibre or

Copper

Advantages of 21CN

• Reliability

• Performance

• Cost

• Resilience

• Features

• Faster new service delivery

• Software innovation

PSTN Migration Converged Core

EndUser

~5knodes

~100nodes

DSLIP-MPLS-WDM

Content ISP

WWW

Class 5 Call ServerFibre or

Copper

21CN - key milestone overview

Trials + Migration+ Innovation

ISDN

WLR

Next GenVoice

WBC / WBMC

Ethernet

FY 2008/09 FY 2009/10 FY 2010/11 FY 2011/12/13

Next Generation Broadband (WBC / WBMC)Next Generation Broadband (WBC / WBMC)

Next Generation Voice (WBCC )Next Generation Voice (WBCC )

Basic Voice on 21CN (WLR)Basic Voice on 21CN (WLR)

ISDN on 21CNISDN on 21CN

Ethernet launch and subsequent releasesTDM services launched on 21CN from 2009Ethernet launch and subsequent releasesTDM services launched on 21CN from 2009

Pathfinder (Phase I)

Phase IICustomer Trials

National Service Migration

Innovation Capability

Pathfinder (Phase I)

Phase IICustomer Trials

National Service Migration

Innovation Capability

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

  Key:

  Pass

  Pass 1 (User perception affected) 

  Pass 2 (User operation affected) 

 Partial Fail (Some functionality lost or delay sensitive)

  Fail (Service lost) 

Eg. Altered ringing cadence

Eg. Works in test, but fails at delays < 300ms

Eg. Switch to tone dialling

www.switchedonuk.org

Test partner engaged and

educated on 21CN & CPE.

Need to test identified & CPE

Engagement team target “best test

partner” & engage.

Test Plan & Schedule agreed. Testing facilitated

& executed at Adastral/Swansea.

CPE Engagement Team.

Publication of test results.

Reporting back into Consult21.

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)

CPE RFI response.

CPE related policies & processes.

Incompatibility resolution.

Test partner kept abreast of public domain updates.

Engagement model

Communications

End userSwitched-on doordrop, switched-on website, via industry associations, via secondary engagements, external deck (POAP & Strategy), PF1 & Grooming deck…..

IndustryVia 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)

Type CPE FamilyFirmware (Where Supplier Product 21CN Test Result Root Cause Sample No.

Receiving Centre

Protocol (Where Notes

PSTNMedium and Large Analogue PBX n/a BT Monarch 32 port Fail

Balanced Ringing 2078 n/a n/a

Reason:This item marked as a FAIL because it does not respond to the type of ringing signal used on 21CN lines. (21CN uses balanced ringing, while legacy PSTN normally uses unbalanced ringing.)

Impact:This type of PBX should not be migrated to 21CN, as incoming calls are not detected, and so incoming service is effectively lost. Outgoing calls are unaffected.

Remedy:End users should contact their Communications Provider to get this type of PBX upgraded or replaced.

PSTNMedium and Large Analogue PBX n/a BT Monarch 96 port Fail

Balanced Ringing 2079 n/a n/a

Reason:This item marked as a FAIL because it does not respond to the type of ringing signal used on 21CN lines. (21CN uses balanced ringing, while legacy PSTN normally uses unbalanced ringing.)

Impact:This type of PBX should not be migrated to 21CN, as incoming calls are not detected, and so incoming service is effectively lost. Outgoing calls are unaffected.

Remedy:

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

High Level Interaction Diagram

CPs FaultDiagnosisProcess

Manage PSTN Faults

(Openreach)

Manage MigrationFaults

(21C IN-Life Ops)

Line Regression Approval Process

(MCC Stability)

Line Regression Implementation

Process(21C In-Life & OR)

Perform Root Cause Analysis

(21C CPE Team)

Close Fault&

Handover to 20C BAU Teams

Line Re-MigrationScheduling &

Implementation(BTO & OR)

ORCP BT OperateMCC CPE Team

Grooming process

Industry Advise CCPE

Services for

Grooming

CCPE Grooming Schedule

Created. CPs Identified

CCPE Services Grooming Master

Record of Groomed & Regressed Services Updated

Alarms

Telemetry

Care

Industry Advised CCPE

Grooming Window Closed

CCPE Services Pre-

Jumpering (possible

further grooming

pass)

CCPE Services

Regression

KEY:

CCPE – Critical Customer Premise Equipment

M – Point of Migration

CCPE Regression Schedule

Created. CPs Identified

CCPE Regression Schedule

Updated. CPs Identified

Migration Timeline

M4w7w8w

Further CCPE Services advised

1w

Further CCPE Services advised

M +nn Hrs

Comms Groom Regress Industry

CCPE PEW Raised

11w

CP PEW

Notifica-tion

CPs Advised of CCPE

Services to be Groomed

9w

Blanket PEW Period

CPs Advised of CCPE Services

regressed

CPE diagnostic process

CPEDiagnostic

Team

BT Operate

21C In-Life Team

PerformLogical Line Regression

3

2

21C CPE Team

AnalyseCPE Related

Problem

Is Fault Related toIncompatible CPE

Confirmed?

21C CPE Team

RecommendSuitable CPEProblem Fix

(If Applicable)

OR Field Engineers

PerformPhysical

Jumpering

21C In-Life Team

PerformPost Regression

Testing

21C In-Life Team

UpdateNecessary OSS

Systems

21C In-Life Team

Close Fault & Inform

Openreach

Openreach

ORCP BT OperateMCC CPE Team

KCI

KCI

‘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.

KCI

KCI

For Utilities & Environment Agency

•“Batphone” facility for critical public infrastructure providersGas, 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

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

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/

Answers

Questions