BT and its 21st Century Network

Residents and businesses in Birmingham and the Black Country are
benefiting from a leading telecommunications network which will mean a
better, and faster connected city than anywhere else in the UK. More than 77% of BT's phone and broadband lines in Birmingham are now enabled for 'next generation broadband ' services on the company's pioneering '21st century network' (21CN) platform. This is the highest percentage of any major city in the UK.

John Dovey, BT's West Midlands Regional Director, said: "Exceeding 77% technology coverage in the Birmingham area is a major milestone for this exciting, world-leading project. Most of the foundations are now in place for offering next generation broadband services, but of course it will take time for companies offering those services to introduce products taking full advantage of this major investment."

The new equipment installed by BT has allowed around 574,000 lines to be upgraded in the Birmingham and Black Country area - as part of BT's multi-billion pound investment across the UK. The 21CN network is the world's most advanced global communications platform, which will carry voice, data, video-on demand and broadband services.

This means greater customer choice and flexibility will be available along with more features and faster introduction of new services for all communications providers.

John said: "Every aspect of the service is new. It will play a major role in helping Birmingham and the region as a whole attract and retain inward investment. The world of telecommunications is moving at a staggeringly fast pace. In recent years we have seen a tremendous demand emerge for broadband, but we are only at the start of an incredibly exciting journey."

This further cements Birmingham's status as the leading regional 'wireless city' in the UK and its aim to become Europe's leading digital city by 2010. And the future is even brighter for those living in Birmingham who, soon, could be benefiting from all sorts of interactive services as a way of life.

But, the key to staying ahead of the technological agenda, lies in the
hands of city itself, explains Ian Binks.

Ian, BT's West Midlands Partnership Director, said: "It's the city that
needs to get to grips with the technology in order for it to be harnessed and used to its best advantage. BT spends nearly one billion pounds a year in the West Midlands and is committed to investing heavily in the future to provide the best, most innovative services available to people."

Birmingham's wireless city status, Ian adds, has acted as a real catalyst for changes and improvements in the city. "There are a number of ongoing collaborative projects which involve exploring how we can use wireless connectivity to improve citizens' lives," he said.

"For example, by using the wireless city network as a platform for a variety of services such as mobile office devices for Birmingham's street wardens, it means the city has a lot more to offer to its residents and its visitors."

As technology advances, Ian says, it is also starting to converge, which is why BT's 21CN platform is so forward thinking. "The convergence of technologies such as televisions with PCs has already started and now telecommunications is going the same way.

"Typically, an individual's mobile device will automatically sign onto the most appropriate, available network to provide whatever services
they need, be they a voice call, surfing the internet, sharing photographs and video, or interacting with a social networking website.

"Similarly, I expect in the not too distant future, other things that we use in day-to-day life will become IP-enabled, for example, your car will know when it is due for a service, it will consult your online diary, and automatically book itself into the car dealer's and then send you a text to confirm it has done it.

"All the technology is there - people just need to start engaging with
it."

And, once they do it seems, a whole new world will be awaiting them.