Digital Readiness

The digital revolution is coming - BT21CN Update

What is 21CN?

As you may be aware BT is implementing a new digital network - referred to as 21CN (21st Century Network) - across the whole of the UK, starting in South Wales. The new network is designed to support BT's roll out of internet based TV, higher speed broadband and other new digital services and will involve the planned migration of every UK voice line alongside the introduction of a range of new services.

How does 21CN affect telecare/social alarms?

21CN is an IP core based network with different equipment in the local exchanges. This introduces certain slightly changed network characteristics such as increased round trip delay. When 21CN is implemented, some older social alarm equipment/protocols may not function reliably, particularly where dependent upon specific transmission time delays across the network. The issues seen with social alarm equipment during testing include:

  • Alarm activation (from a telecare sensor/personal trigger/red button) may not raise an alert at the monitoring centre
  • Equipment Failing to open a speech path
  • Equipment dropping calls
  • Incomplete information presented to the monitoring centre

How has telecare/social alarm equipment been tested?

BT's stated objectives with regards to 21CN testing are as follows: ‘To help manufacturers and other stakeholders ensure CPE (Customer Premise Equipment) functions properly on 21CN. It is the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure that CPE functions properly on 21CN'.

In response to this and due to the life critical nature of telecare and social alarms, Tunstall has tested its entire current product range and where available, products from our legacy product ranges using the test facilities made available by BT. Click here to view the test results.

What steps are social alarm providers advised to take?

BT is unable to guarantee the compatibility of equipment on 21CN and advises social alarm service providers in particular to seek advice from their equipment suppliers as to how they might be affected, due to the life critical nature of the equipment.

It is recommended that customers review the Tunstall equipment testing results and their accompanying explanations to determine whether there may be an issue with equipment currently being used.

In order to further support customers to ensure full 21CN compliance and eliminate reliability issues, Tunstall has appointed a 21CN Compliance Manager who is available to arrange a full audit of your social alarm equipment in operation, providing you with a comprehensive report detailing its status. The dedicated Tunstall 21CN Compliance Manager is also available to provide a full explanation of the test results together with any further information required in order to clarify specific issues that you may have.

If you would like further information on BT21CN or to arrange an equipment audit, please contact the Tunstall 21CN Compliance Manager on 01977 660525 or by emailing 21cn@tunstall.co.uk

View - 21CN Compliance Survey brochure

Last updated 03.11.08