| 21st Century Network is BT's next generation fibre | | | | The UK is already lagging behind in broadband terms |
| optic network, which is an advanced communications | | | | and some may say that BT's vision isn't moving |
| network for the future. It will cost the company | | | | quickly enough to a complete 'fibre to the home' |
| £10 Billion over the next few years to install a | | | | network. The company has already stated that it will |
| fibre optic connection into every home across the | | | | accrue annual savings of £1 billion per annum |
| country, replacing the old copper wiring phone | | | | when the transition is complete, but the promised |
| system. | | | | savings are not acting as a spur to accelerate rollout |
| BT states that it is designed to empower the | | | | of the network. |
| broadband user with control, choice and flexibility like | | | | Is this money well spent? In 20th November 2003, |
| never before, it will mean that there be will one | | | | BT launched its 1Mbit/s Asymmetric Digital Subscriber |
| unified network carrying all voice and data | | | | Line (ADSL) broadband net service. In the summer of |
| communications. This is an upgrade on a massive | | | | 2003, Yahoo Broadband (Japan) received its 3 |
| scale, work began in Cardiff in 2006, but the major | | | | millionth broadband customer for services at 8 and |
| work will begin in January 2008 where BT will begin | | | | 12Mbit/s. We are now in 2007 and the UK is |
| to upgrade its network nationwide, expecting to | | | | struggling to offer even 8Mbit/s to most of |
| finish in 2011. | | | | broadband users, with most broadband providers |
| Although, there has been a lot of criticism regarding | | | | showing advertising with the words "up to 8Mbit/s". |
| the plans, mainly due to their plans for high speed | | | | It may be a bad comparison between the UK and |
| broadband services. Their main plan for providing | | | | Japan but it shows a clear indication of how far we |
| broadband access is to upgrade to ADSL2+, this | | | | are from achieving super fast broadband access. |
| however, is already old technology and has a | | | | Is this 21st Century Network the limit in which the UK |
| broadband limit of up to 24Mbit/s and by the time | | | | broadband can go, or is BT playing it safe and not |
| this upgrade is completed (2011), this technology will | | | | being adventurous enough? |
| be even more dated by then. | | | | |