BT is launching its 21C Global Venture (21C GV), a business unit that will enable the delivery of next-generation networks to communication providers across the globe. The 21C Global Venture has been created to bring together the unique experiences BT has gained in developing its 21st Century Network, widely regarded as the world’s most advanced next generation network.

BT’s newly created venture will offer BT 21C Transformation Services, providing communication providers worldwide with a complete solution, ranging from initial audit and consultancy services through to the full scale implementation and operation of next generation networks. The addressable market for these services is estimated to be in excess of $50 billion over the next five years. The 21C Global Venture has been created to bring together the unique experiences BT has gained in developing its 21st Century Network, widely regarded as the world’s most advanced next generation network. This experience will help other operators around the world implement and accelerate their own NGN plans.

Next generation networks and systems enable communication providers to deliver innovative services, increase speed to market and improve customer service while benefiting from significant cost savings. BT’s newly created venture will offer BT 21C Transformation Services, providing communication providers worldwide with a complete solution, ranging from initial audit and consultancy services through to the full scale implementation and operation of NGNs. The first customer to benefit from these services will be Turk Telekom, following a support agreement between BT and Oger Telecom.

Paul Reynolds, CEO, BT Wholesale, said: “BT’s 21st Century Network is the world’s most ambitious next generation transformation program. As the first carrier to embark upon such a radical program, we had to create the manual as we went along. This included developing the business plan, driving the adoption of open standards among vendors, and bringing the rest of industry with us through open and transparent consultation. We’ve learned valuable lessons along the way. We can now help other operators implement or accelerate their NGN programs with the insights we’ve gained through 21CN over the last two years.”

François Barrault, President BT International, said: “Communication providers around the world can benefit from our experience of designing and building our own 21st Century Network. This experience will enable them to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. In turn this will help bring major functionality and performance enhancements to consumers, small businesses and large corporations, allowing them to thrive in the digital networked economy. A next generation network infrastructure will soon be considered as a necessity in all countries trying to attract global investors. BT is yet again demonstrating its world class innovation capabilities by making this know-how globally available.”

BT 21C GV
21C GV has been established by BT Global Services’ carrier services division, Global Telecom Markets (GTM), in partnership with BT’s Group Technology Office.

BT 21C Transformation Services
BT has developed a series of end-to-end transformation propositions called BT 21C Transformation services which can help service providers globally gain from the business benefits that BT is realizing through investments in 21CN and associated business transformation programs. The three main propositions are: BT 21C Consultancy Services; BT 21C Build Services; and BT 21C Managed Services. GTM will act as the primary sales channel for the BT 21C Transformation Services.

21CN
In the UK, BT’s 21st Century Network (21CN) involves the migration of 30 million customer lines and the withdrawal of the legacy voice (PSTN) platform. 21CN will deliver existing and future services over one dedicated IP network. This £10billion ($19.7 billion) program is expected to be completed by the end of the decade and will deliver identified cost savings of £1billion ($1.9 billion) /year from 2008/09.

BT’s 21CN will provide the basis of the most powerful competitive and productive communications environment in the world and represents one of the biggest ever investments in the economic infrastructure of the UK by a private company.

About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions andservices operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2006, BT Group plc’s revenue was £19,514 million with profit before taxation of £2,040 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt