Channel expects major impact of NGN rollout

Generation Game: Channel players expect big things from NGNs

Next-generation networks (NGN) have been firmly in the spotlight recently and voice and data players have asserted the technology will transform UK telecommunications.

BT’s 21CN project, the UK’s most high-profile NGN, has encountered numerous setbacks, but the carrier has reiterated its commitment to the project. It also claimed channel partners continued to benefit from the network’s rollout.

“Any issues partners have can be addressed by the fact that we have rolled out next-generation services at scale, which are available to the channel to resell,” said the carrier.

ISP Griffin has worked with BT to highlight the benefits of 21CN to the channel. But chief technology officer Adrian Sunderland claimed communications providers should cast their net wider than a single NGN.

“Griffin is evangelical about the benefits of all IP NGNs,” he said. “We buy NGN-based services from seven different carriers and build services on top of these. You need to consider customers’ applications and what area of the country they are in.”

Many slammed the Digital Britain report’s commitment to 2MB universal access as unambitious and taxes to help fund access in rural areas have also faced criticism.

Ian Jackson, managing director of VAR Imerja, said: “More pressure should have been put on major telcos to extend their reach to match that of their European counterparts.”

But Phil Smith, Cisco’s UK and Ireland managing director, claimed the government’s focus on NGN technology would benefit the UK economy.

“These proposals will improve the delivery of public and private services, both in terms of lower cost of delivery and improved accessibility,” he said.