BT rings changes with SDH

Low cost of internet switches will be passed on to end users.

BT customers can expect major price reductions for data transmission, following the completion of BeTaNet, the telco's advanced IP and multimedia SDH network.

Building on its current fibre-optic network, BT claims BeTaNet will offer customers virtually unlimited bandwidth over a single link for simultaneous voice, data, video and internet services.

"This new core network will easily accommodate the explosive growth in transport for the internet and high-speed data services for businesses and consumers," said Sir Peter Bonfield, BT's chief executive.

BeTaNet - which will interwork with the conventional UK telephone network - is the result of over #1bn of investment. The telco also plans to invest a further #5bn over the next five years to support data and multimedia services.

Internet technology switches cost less than conventional devices and fewer are required, promising substantial savings in capital outlay. These savings should be passed on to the end user in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

"BeTaNet will allow BT to combine voice and data on the same switches, providing the opportunity for the same services or more on a lower-cost platform," said Robin Duke-Woolley, senior consultant at Schema.

Last year, BT carried more data than voice over its UK network for the first time. The UK data communications market is expected to grow by more than 150 per cent over the next five years, creating an estimated #10bn market.

BT has also set a March launch date for its European network, built in conjunction with its European partners - Viag Interkom Cegetel and Albacom.

The network will eventually comprise 36,000km of fibre and serve more than 200 European cities.

BT is piloting gigabit routers at BT Tower, London and at Martelsham, before installation into its core network. On test are Cisco's GSR 12000, Lucent's Packetstar 6400 and Ericsson's Juniper M40. Traffic for the pilot is being sourced from the Tower and distributed to 800 users at Martlesham.