[Merged] BT's £10bn to upgrade broadband

[SMHarman]

Impressive stuff - includes Fibre to the Home (FTTH) on new build and converting the network to VOIP.

Follows...

TELECOMS group BT today launched a £10bn, five-year programme to upgrade its network from its decades-old voice telephony system to a full broadband service using internet protocol.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/b...d79196?source=

[altis]

Also reported on The Register:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/06/09/bt_fibre_trial/

and on BT itself:
http://www.btplc.com/Innovation/News/index.htm

What caught my eye was the reference to end-to-end IP. The whole world really is going to be connected by the Internet. Look forward to more and more kit having an Ethernet port (or more likely, embedded wireless or HomePlug). You'll be able to type in your IP addy, from anywhere in the world, and look at the temperature inside your fridge, or turn on the lights, or program your PVR...

[MovedGoalPosts]

Originally Posted by altis

You'll be able to type in your IP addy, from anywhere in the world, and look at the temperature inside your fridge, or turn on the lights, or program your PVR...

Oh no think of the aggro of having to put a firewall and antivirus on your fridge. You want to keep stuff coll in there not hot. And I'm quite capable of propogating my own nasties in there without outside influence of the unscrupulous hackers

Seriously though it's good to see BT making this sort of move, concentrating on providing good modern infrastructure, to enable everyone to take advantage. Be interesting to see if the cable cos can match this move after all as their networks were built more recently than BTs they should have had the advantage.

[TheBlueRaja]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3791319.stm

Pretty forward thinking from BT here...

BT is planning to rebuild its phone network in the UK in a radical move that will cost billions.
It could change the way people use their phones and allow most people with a BT phone line to plug into broadband using computers, mobiles or other devices.

It could also mean that mobiles and fixed lines become interchangeable, with the same number and bill.

BT plans to convert the majority of its customers to the new network by 2009.

Dubbed the 21st century network, the technical work requires a gradual closing down of the old Public Switched Telephone network (PSTN) to make way for an internet protocol (IP) network.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by MovedGoalPosts

Oh no think of the aggro of having to put a firewall and antivirus on your fridge. You want to keep stuff coll in there not hot. And I'm quite capable of propogating my own nasties in there without outside influence of the unscrupulous hackers

Seriously though it's good to see BT making this sort of move, concentrating on providing good modern infrastructure, to enable everyone to take advantage. Be interesting to see if the cable cos can match this move after all as their networks were built more recently than BTs they should have had the advantage.

Indeed the cost of fibre to the home for a cable co must be magnitudes smaller than for BT as the duct network is in place.

BT are talking about it for new build only.

[Salu]

Sorry, the party's cancelled tonight.... my fridge crashed....

[DeadKenny]

So, I assume NTL will be left in the dark ages then (like they already are with things like CallerID)

[Shaun]

I honestly can't see things picking up for Ntl in the near future. They seem to have no drive or ambition. I know they are strapped for cash, but what company aren't? BT are cutting jobs a 5000 a year to make a profit, yet they are still investing in new technology. Sure Ntl are trailing a load of stuff, but is it what the public want? Boosting your speed, and downloading music videos is all well and good, but its not a killer app.

Ntl need some new management at the top to star the ship in a new and exciting direction. Until that happens customers and staff alike are going to continue to be disillusioned with the company. Theres no feel good factor about Ntl like some of the other company.

I'm glad BT are taking this move, its a step in the right direction, however, the really should spend a little more effort on their CS as it is getting a bad as Ntl's used to be

I guess I'm lucky that my when my house was built Ntl and BT installed their cables and stuff so I have a choice, but the choice is only as good as the companys that provide it.