The channel has urged BT to be clearer about the timetable for its delayed 21st Century Network (21CN) project.
Deployment of the next-generation voice and broadband network has been delayed by up to two years after a trial in South Wales last year was hit by technical problems.

The project, set for completion by 2011, is expected to deliver cost savings of £1bn.
Based on feedback from the trial, BT has also abandoned its policy of forcing customers to migrate to the network, which critics argue could create more work for the channel.

Richard Bligh, group marketing director at Gamma Telecom ­ which is the only carrier with dedicated resources to ensure its network is compatible with 21CN ­ said the delays had been frustrating.

“We have not lost our enthusiasm for the project, but we are somewhat frustrated at the shifting timescale and the lack of clarity that goes with that,” he said.

“The dilemma for everyone is which services will be available in 12 months’ time and what investment should they be making now. Resellers do not know how to compare Gamma’s local loop unbundling offering with BT’s as they do not know when BT’s will arrive.”

Michael Eagle, trade association manager at the Federation of Communication Services, said he is pressing BT to ensure a detailed timetable is available to partners so they can manage their customers’ expectations.
“Delays are never helpful. It is harder to get partners’ attention the second time around,” Eagle said.

“And now the end user and communications providers can take up the product on an elective basis, it is a more complicated message to digest and pass onto customers.”

Joe Kelly, director of communications at BT Wholesale, revealed that BT’s new broadband services for 21CN are currently available to five per cent of the population.

He added that the number would increase to 40 to 50 per cent by the end of April next year and that new voice services are expected to be introduced from the middle of
next year.

“It is very simple for resellers to get information on when and where the services will be made available over the next 12 months,” he said. “My advice is to speak to the service provider or to BT Wholesale, if they deal with them.”

Kelly also defended BT’s decision to drop its forced migration policy.
“This is about giving customers what they want. We are giving them more choice and trying to make the programme customer led.

“It is reasonable for the channel to do what the customer wants,” Kelly added.