Connectivity Transition Guide
Contents
1
Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 2
2
Decision Flowchart .......................................................................................................................... 2
3
Trigger Points .................................................................................................................................. 3
4
Audit of Current Estate .................................................................................................................... 3
5
Contracts ......................................................................................................................................... 3
6
Procurement Options ...................................................................................................................... 4
7
Transition Options ........................................................................................................................... 5
8
Future Service Requirements ......................................................................................................... 5
9
Transition Plan ................................................................................................................................ 6
10
Timescale .................................................................................................................................... 7
11
Service Migration – Overview ..................................................................................................... 7
12
Service Novation – Direct and Indirect Services ......................................................................... 7
13
Voice Service Migration .............................................................................................................. 8
14
SIP Trunks................................................................................................................................... 9
15
Broadband Migration ................................................................................................................. 10
16
Significant Market Power .......................................................................................................... 11
17
Migrating from Leased Lines (TI or AI) to Broadband ............................................................... 13
18
Migrating from Traditional to Ethernet Services ........................................................................ 15
19
PSN ........................................................................................................................................... 16
20
Training ..................................................................................................................................... 17
21
Integration with other services .................................................................................................. 17
22
Network Management ............................................................................................................... 18
23
Security ..................................................................................................................................... 18
24
Authentication............................................................................................................................ 18
25
Service Levels ........................................................................................................................... 18
26
Testing....................................................................................................................................... 19
27
Documentation .......................................................................................................................... 19
28
Business Continuity ................................................................................................................... 19
29
Glossary .................................................................................................................................... 21
30
Annex 1 – Transition Plan ......................................................................................................... 29
31
Annex 2 – BT Novation Handbook ............................................................................................ 29
1
Introduction
1.1
There are many possible drivers for re-procuring your telecoms connectivity. Contracts may
have expired, your business requirements may be changing, you may be reorganising or
relocating, or wishing to take advantage of falling prices or technical developments. This
document examines the various options, and explores the various transitional activities that
need to take place, particularly when changing service providers, to ensure that the new
services are embedded smoothly.
1.2
The early part of the document – Sections 2-10 – looks at the general issues and options
that procurers should take into consideration when planning to re-procure telecoms
connectivity services. Sections 11 onwards look in more detail at the technical landscape,
and may be more suited to reference usage for those seeking specific technical viewpoints
and guidance.
1.3
Scope: This document is concerned primarily with transition of connectivity services. Other
telecoms services, such as voice, video and data services, are not within the scope of this
document.
2
Decision Flowchart
Trigger Event
End of existing
contract/call off
See Section 0
Audit of existing estate
See Section 4
Contracts
See Section 5
Are you able to
proceed?
Procurement options
See Section 6
Renegotiate existing
contract
Re-procure: Transition
options – see Section 7
Define Requirement
See Section 8
Prepare Transition Plan
See Section 9
Determine timescales
See Section 10
Establish whether
novation is required
and/or possible
See Section 11
Technical options
See Sections 13 – 18
Plan associated activities
See Sections 20 – 28
Run FC under PSNC
and/or PSNS, or TS
3
Trigger Points
3.1
Several factors could trigger the need to re-procure connectivity services. Some are listed
below:







Contract expiry – existing connectivity services expired or approaching expiry;
End of Initial Term – although extension may be permissible, continuing prices from
incumbent suppliers might be substantially higher than obtainable through competition
(as connectivity prices tend to fall over time);
Contract is into roll-over – as above;
Relocation, new premises, reorganisation/restructuring;
New applications, changing application requirements;
Increasing usage and bandwidth demand;
Changing working practices (e.g. Cloud, thin clients) resulting in more network traffic.
3.2
The above factors, taken together with the organisation’s current state covered in section 4
and forward-looking requirements considered in Section 7.8, will contribute to the detailed
Statement of Requirements in the Invitation to Tender (ITT).
4
Audit of Current Estate
4.1
Before commencing any market engagement in a transition project, you must fully
understand what you have now. The existing estate must be fully characterised and
documented to enable any bidding supplier to understand the nature of the circuits to be
transferred, their attributes, locations, ownership and contractual details, and therefore be
able to provide a valuable and relevant bid. Any uncertainty in your requirement will result in
a sub-optimal bid and probably higher costs than necessary.
4.2
If the bidding supplier will be required to own, operate or interface with any existing assets,
then these must be identified, together with details of functionality, ownership or lease, any
encumbrances, software and firmware states, and any licence issues.
4.3
You will need to inform bidding suppliers of details of the incumbent suppliers, whether
current provision is Direct or Indirect; and if Indirect, who is the current provider of the
underlying connectivity service (e.g. Openreach, a member of the BT Group). This is
important, to establish the likelihood of incoming providers being able to re-use the existing
connectivity infrastructure to provide the new service. Direct and Indirect services are
explored in section 11 below.
4.4
Service attributes that you will need to define as part of your Statement of Requirements
include:








locations, postcodes
bandwidth, resilience, technology, security
business criticality and impact
numbering schemes (inbound, outbound, special)
architecture – current network diagram
Agreed Service Time – during which maintenance cover is provided and availability is
measured
service levels (availability, quality, response and fix times, coverage)
usage, utilisation, peak characteristics (day, week, year) – per site where available
4.5
Some of this information may be available in your contract, through your existing supplier,
from bills, management information etc.
5
Contracts
5.1
The contractual states of all services to be replaced are of primary relevance to transition.
The contracts need to be examined to establish whether services are still in their Initial Term
and therefore subject to early termination charges if ceased, the magnitude of the early
termination charges if they are still within Initial Term, and whether they contain any specific
exit provisions that may assist with the transition process.
5.2
Initial Term: Once contracts have completed their Initial Term, they may be into optional
additional extension periods, or into automatic roll-over. While either of these offer easy
extension options, once the Initial Term has expired you are no longer contract-bound and
therefore might be missing an opportunity to either re-compete the requirement to achieve
lower prices and/or superior offerings; or re-negotiate prices and/or terms with your existing
supplier.
5.3
Early termination charges: Even if the services have not reached the end of their Initial
Term, then depending on the remaining term, if early termination charges are low, better
value may be obtained by ceasing services before contract expiry in favour of cheaper
and/or superior ones. Alternatively you might consider renegotiating the existing contracts.
5.4
Exit provisions: Examine the existing contracts to establish whether they contain any exit
provisions, for example to assist early termination, or provide for novation of circuits.
6
Procurement Options
6.1
Once you have determined that a transition exercise is required, there are three principal
procurement routes to fulfilment, described in the following sections.
6.2
Competitive re-procurement
6.2.1
In the general case, unless there are compelling reasons to renegotiate (see 6.3),
competitive re-procurement is likely to offer the best opportunities for achieving services
optimised to your requirements and offering you best value for money.
6.2.2
However, the competitive procurement process involves time and effort and places
obligations on your organisation that must be taken into account when determining the
optimum approach.
6.2.3
Unless you wish to take the PSN route (6.4 below), you should use the Telephony Services
framework (RM1035).
6.2.4
The Telephony Services framework Service Catalogue will give a good indication of the
likely benefit of the re-procurement route.
6.3
Renegotiate with incumbent provider
6.3.1
If you only wish to procure services for a short term – say less than 18 months – then
continuation with the incumbent supplier might offer better value than competitive reprocurement. The resources spent on a short-term re-procurement exercise may exceed
any benefit from new provision; and potential providers also might not consider a relatively
short payback period sufficient to warrant the expense of bidding or investing in the
necessary infrastructure.
6.3.2
Where the current connectivity services are provided through Direct connection (Section
12.1), and the current provider does not have Significant Market Power (Section 16), then
the current provider might not be willing to novate those connectivity services to a new
provider. In that case, the new provider would need to install new physical connections,
which might result in disruption and excess construction charges, requiring a longer term to
be cost-effective. Renegotiation with the incumbent might be a better option.
6.4
PSN – Public Services Network
6.4.1
The PSN is a secure and robust network for the public sector, offering substantial
opportunities for rationalising your current connectivity estate and sharing services both
within your organisation, and with other public sector organisations. PSN features and
benefits are described at https://www.gov.uk/public-services-network.
6.4.2
To procure PSN Connectivity services, use the PSN Connectivity Framework (RM860), and
for other PSN services such as voice, email or Internet services, use the PSN Services
Framework (RM1498); in both cases via Further Competition.
7
Transition Options
7.1
The transition of a particular connectivity service may be achieved through novation of the
physical circuit, where this is possible and offered by the incumbent supplier, or it may be
necessary for the new provider to install a new physical connection. Novation is a less
disruptive process and therefore a preferable approach from the transition point of view
provided the resulting service meets user requirements; but is not feasible in all
circumstances, as explained in the next paragraphs
7.2
Transfer/Novate: If your future requirement is similar to the current provision, novation will
usually be possible where current provision is Indirect (see Section 12), and/or subject to
Significant Market Power (see Section 16).
7.3
If BT is the current supplier or the current service is based on a BT circuit (or KCOM in the
Hull area – see Section 16), novation will in general be possible. A BT customer guide to
the novation process is attached at Annex 2 – BT Novation Handbook.
7.4
Cease & Provide: If novation is not an option, the new provider will need to install a new
physical connection. The existing service is terminated, and the new service commissioned
as soon as possible.
7.5
The complexity of new provision will depend on a variety of factors such as access to
premises, distance from the provider’s nearest network access point, local topology, and
whether the new provider has access to existing infrastructure such as duct space.
7.6
The effect of any disruption from this process on applications that require continuous
connectivity or availability will need to be evaluated.
7.7
Dual Running (provide and then cease): This is similar to Cease & Provide, but in this
case the outgoing service is not ceased until the new service has been fully commissioned
and tested with all relevant applications. This will entail parallel running during the handover
period to ensure seamless transfer with minimal outage (coordinated with users to ensure
acceptability for their business requirements), for business continuity and criticality.
7.8
The decision on which transition procedure to adopt will be made by the incoming provider
based on your Statement of Requirements and their due diligence, and will be reflected in
their tender. There are several steps you can take to ensure that bidders have all the
necessary information to hand:



8
Provide as much detail as you can of the existing circuits to be replaced, including
current supplier, accurate location details and technical attributes, and whether
provision is Indirect or Direct (see Section 12); if Indirect, give details of the underlying
(wholesale) carrier;
Consider whether continuation of existing service attributes to enable the simplicity of
novation might be preferable to major change, especially for short-term procurements,
provided this meets user and application requirements;
Document your requirements for transition in the SoR, particularly seamlessness and
business continuity, and test responses as part of the evaluation process.
Future Service Requirements
8.1
Service requirements should become evident from the evidence collected above, together
with appropriate input from user departments regarding their future business requirements.
8.2
Bandwidth: Should bandwidth be increased? What traffic / applications will lead to
increased bandwidth requirement? The trend for bandwidth requirement is ever upwards,
driven by applications with increasingly rich content such as high-definition pictures,
diagrams and video. Users and departments will need to be consulted on the types of
application they are considering and their likely usage and content.
8.3
Security: What security is required – IL0/1, 2 or 3 (or higher)? The SIRO will need to
determine whether IL2 – the PSN default Impact Level – is acceptable for connectivity
services, or whether particularly demanding security environments require IL3 or higher
provision. If the latter, the organisation needs to consider whether higher security should be
applied generically via the connectivity service, which could have adverse effects on certain
aspects of usability, or whether they could be satisfied through measures such as encryption
at application level with appropriate user authentication. Impact Levels are described in
HMG IA Standard No.1, available (also an extract of just the Impact Level tables) at
http://www.cesg.gov.uk/publications/Pages/categorylist.aspx?cat=IA+Policy+%26+Guidance
Advice is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office website at http://ico.org.uk/.
8.4
Service Levels: What Service Levels are required for quality, availability, delivery? The
PSN Connectivity framework agreement includes default service levels in Call-Off Schedule
2.3, and the Telephony Services framework in call-off Schedule 6, but customers should
determine whether these is appropriate for their needs, or whether requirements could be
relaxed to in favour of possible lower pricing, or increased for more stringent application
requirements.
8.5
Resilience: What level of resilience is required; what is the impact to the organisation of
losing a connection? Do the applications need total resilience with automatic failover so that
full bandwidth is still available if the primary connection fails; or will a lower bandwidth
backup circuit suffice, perhaps Broadband, at considerably less cost?
8.6
Technology: Broadband or private circuit – might connectivity based on Broadband suffice,
with lower service levels but potentially more cost-effective for a given bandwidth?
Comparison between leased line and Broadband is explored in Section 15.
8.7
PSN (Public Services Network): Should the service (or entire network) be provided through
PSN? PSN is at the heart of the objective of creating a common ICT infrastructure in the
Government ICT Strategy. The PSN and its benefits are described at
https://www.gov.uk/public-services-network.
9
Transition Plan
9.1
To ensure a successful transition, it is important that the organisation prepares a transition
plan in conjunction with the incoming provider.
9.2
The transition plan should address, as a minimum:








background and scope of the project;
timescales;
resource plan;
responsibilities;
controls and reporting procedures;
relationship to any other projects;
risk register identifying potential risks, their impact, mitigation and contingencies, with
particular emphasis on how to minimise operational risk;
an Impact Statement describing the impact of this transition on departments,
operations, users, applications, support services and other projects (including transition
of other services that may or may not be dependent on this project, infrastructure
enhancements, building works or moves, organisational changes).
9.3
A sample transition plan is included as Annex 1 – Transition Plan.
10
Timescale
10.1
The transition period could be quite short if replacing commodity items such as broadband
links or mobile phone services, although transition of complex service contracts could take
12-18 months even if everything goes smoothly. Factors that increase transition time
include:






requirement complexity;
application-infrastructure interdependency;
the degree of inter-dependency with the rest of the IT estate;
inflexible contracts with existing suppliers;
changes to service boundaries;
asset transfers from existing supplier(s).
10.2
Before embarking on a transition programme, it is essential to document the requirements in
a suitably detailed form to allow the procurement to proceed. The timescale for this will
depend in part on the complexity of the requirements, particularly the length of time it takes
to collect and collate data on the existing service and if/how this is expected to be different
in future.
10.3
Also consider how (and whether) to phase connectivity transition with other business
services, and with other user departments and/or organisations (especially in the PSN
context), to maximise opportunities for benefits of aggregation.
10.4
Procurement time, most likely through a Further Competition, will depend on the complexity
of the requirements and whether a multi-stage process is applied.
11
Service Migration – Overview
11.1
Sections 12-18 examine the different types of connectivity service that a customer may
have, compare their attributes, and discuss what needs to be taken into account when
considering upgrading or migrating services:






Direct and Indirect services – Section 12
Voice services – Section 13
Between Broadband providers – Section 15
Leased Line to Broadband – Section 17
Traditional (legacy, SDH) to Ethernet (IP, Next Generation) – Section 18
Discussion on Significant Market Power – Section 16
12
Service Novation – Direct and Indirect Services
12.1
Direct services are supplied through a provider’s own network connections, all the way to
the customer’s premises. Any transfer of Direct services will be at the discretion of the
incumbent provider, and may be subject to negotiation between the gaining and losing
provider. Customers should also review any relevant contractual exit provisions relating to
the incumbent provider.
12.2
To find out whether a service can be novated, you will need to establish the following:

Who provides the service currently?



Is the service Direct or Indirect? – If Direct, then it is unlikely that the service will be
able to be novated – see 12.1; if Indirect, novation should be possible – see 12.7.
Does the wholesale provider have Significant Market Power (SMP)? – if yes, novation
should be an option; if no, it should still be possible to novate an Indirect service. SMP
is covered in section 16.
Broadband services are subject to special provisions, covered in section 15.
12.3
BT’s Novation Handbook, including Letter of Authority and Novation Agreement templates,
can be downloaded from:
https://www.btwholesale.com/shared/document/Support/FAQ/Novation_Handbook_Final_Ja
n12.docx.
12.4
Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) is a product that BT is obliged to provide to other
Communications Providers. It enables other Communications Providers (including Internet
Service providers – ISPs) to offer both line rental and calls to end-users over BT's local
network, as Indirect services. This usually means that the end-user no longer has a
contractual relationship with BT and is billed solely by the WLR Provider.
12.5
The table below lists commonly installed services and illustrates that most can be supplied
in Direct or Indirect form.
Carrier
Circuit
Service
Twisted pair DEL
PSTN
Voice, Alarm, Redcare
Twisted pair DEL
PSTN
xDSL Broadband
Twisted pair DEL
ISDN
DOCSIS
Ethernet
Ethernet
2xISDN Voice & Data +
signalling
Voice & Broadband
Ethernet First Mile (EFM)
Voice & Broadband, GEA
Ethernet
Voice & Broadband, GEA
Fibre/coax DEL
Twisted pair
Fibre+TP/Coax
FTTC
Fibre FTTP
Twisted pair LL
Twisted pair or
Coax LL
Coax or Fibre LL
Fibre LL
Fibre LL
Fibre LL
Bandwidth Implementation
(bits/sec)
1M+
Direct or Indirect
(LLU)
1-24M
Direct or Indirect
(distance
(LLU)
dependent)
2 x 64-128K Direct or Indirect
+ D (16K)
8-120M
Direct
2-10M
Direct or Indirect
30-120M Direct or Indirect
(VULA)
30-330M Direct or Indirect
(VULA)
64K-2M
Direct or Indirect
E0 KiloStream Voice & Data, X25, Frame
Relay (Framestream)
E1
Voice & Data, ISDN30,
2M
MegaStream
Frame Relay, DPNSS
E3
ATM (Cellstream)
34M
STM1
ATM
155M
STM4
ATM
622M
Ethernet
EAD, EBD, WES, WEES, 10M-10G
BES, SIP, MPLS
Direct or Indirect
Direct or Indirect
Direct or Indirect
Direct or Indirect
Direct or Indirect
12.6
If existing provision is Direct, then it is probable that any new provider would need to invest
in new infrastructure. The cost of the investment will be recovered over the term of the
required services, and its impact will be proportionally greater the shorter the term.
Additionally, the customer may need to consider whether any disruption caused by new
provision is justified for a short-term requirement.
12.7
Indirect services are provided over the infrastructure of another provider, commonly BT, in
whole or part – generally for the “first mile” customer access, and possibly also the backhaul
(the link between the access circuit and the provider’s core network).
13
Voice Service Migration
13.1
Carrier Pre-Selection (CPS) is a mechanism that allows end-users to select, in advance,
alternative Communications Providers to carry their calls without having to dial a prefix or
install any special equipment at their premises. The end-user subscribes to the services of
one or more CPS operators or resellers and chooses the type of calls (e.g. all national calls)
to be carried by them. The end-user is billed for these calls by the CPS operators or
reseller.
13.2
CPS enables easy migration of voice services to another Communications Provider using an
existing BT voice line (KCOM in the Hull area). CPS does not apply if the voice line has
been fully unbundled; migration of voice services provided over LLU lines will entail a more
complex process – the migration procedures are outlined under Broadband (Section 15.1).
13.3
If the underlying transport infrastructure is changed, you will need to take steps to ensure
continuity of the voice service. Transition of the telephony service between the old and new
infrastructure provider will need to be seamless with zero or minimal with loss of service
confined to pre-planned periods agreed with users; with special provision to ensure
continuity of emergency numbers. See also Section 21 – integration of dependent services.
13.4
If you are moving to PSN, then it is likely that you will procure voice and connectivity
separately, whereas your previous provider may have provided both. You will therefore
need to ensure cooperation between the outgoing and incoming providers of both telephony
and connectivity to ensure smooth transition.
13.5
You may well be moving to an IP Telephony (IPT) solution using SIP Trunks (see Section
14) and voice over IP (VoIP), perhaps unified communications, as opposed to traditional
TDM-based telephony, and will be looking to exploit their many features and benefits. A
move to IP Telephony will involve new equipment to provide your voice service, both in your
and the provider’s premises and networks. Careful planning will be needed to ensure
continuity of service and seamless transition for all users.
13.6
In a converged solution, IP Telephony can use the same connectivity infrastructure as your
data network, and could therefore be in contention with data traffic, which might affect the
quality of your voice communications and impact critical voice services. The VoIP model
has addressed and resolved these issues from the outset, with comprehensive QoS (Quality
of Service) and CoS (Class of Service) provision. However you will need to ensure, through
a “health check” or a service provided by your incoming provider, that the network
infrastructure has sufficient capacity and technical robustness to carry real-time voice and
video services at acceptable quality, and with the required security and integrity.
13.7
Connectivity changes affecting voice services may include:
Use
Single phone lines
Exchange lines
Internal extensions
Wireless extensions
Old
PSTN, ISDN (DEL)
ISDN-30 (E1)
PBX line
DECT, 3G Mobile
New
LLU, Fibre Broadband
Ethernet / SIP Trunk
LAN / SIP
VoWLAN, LTE (4G)
13.8
Broadband users may migrate voice services according to the table at Paragraph 15.1.
14
SIP Trunks
14.1
SIP trunks are media channels between service provider and customer, provided over a
suitable IP or Ethernet connection. They use “Session Initiation Protocol”, which sets up a
channel suitable for streaming media, typically phone calls or similar communication
sessions, across IP environments such as LAN, intranet or Internet.
14.2
In essence, a SIP trunk is the IP version of a traditional ISDN trunk (which generally
provides between 8 and 30 voice channels). You can consider SIP trunks for ISDN
replacement, and they are cheaper in many cases, more flexible and resilient, and quicker
to implement.
14.3
SIP trunks can share physical connections with other communications requirements, notably
data. The connection must have the necessary service levels, including Quality of Service
(QoS) characteristics, to ensure that your phone calls are of the required quality. For this
reason, many providers will require direct connectivity between your network and theirs to
convey the SIP trunks, rather than via a third party or the Internet. However, once a
connection is set up for a SIP trunk, there is no reason why it cannot be used for data as
well.
14.4
The SIP trunk environment simply provides the transport to the outside world, and does not
in itself provide phone registration or typical features such as call waiting, call forwarding
etc. Those features will be delivered in some other way via the customer’s equipment,
typically a PBX or a VoIP-enabled router.
14.5
SIP trunking is inherently flexible. Whereas ISDN30 is supplied only in certain
configurations from a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 30 channels per connection, SIP can
provide any number of channels, in increments of one. The only limit is the bandwidth of the
connection. Adding new SIP trunks typically involves only a software change and
associated licence charge, rather than additional line cards as commonly the case with
ISDN.
14.6
Organisations generally configure ISDN provision for maximum requirements, perhaps
incurring costs for peak conditions that arise only occasionally. However, by pooling phone
connectivity with Internet & data, and prioritising phone calls over data transfers, SIP
architecture can enable the number of simultaneous phone calls to increase at peak times
while Internet and other traffic use spare capacity.
14.7
Some elements of call charges are reduced or eliminated with SIP trunks, as they use a
direct connection between your premises and the carrier’s network. Costs incurred by
transporting calls over another carrier’s network (in the Carrier Pre-Select model, for
example) are avoided. Connections used for SIP trunking are commonly shared with other
services, creating further economies.
14.8
SIP can be implemented in stages. Newer IP-enabled PBXs or VoIP-enabled routers will be
able to support SIP, and therefore be capable of connection directly to SIP Trunks. Older
equipment may be connected through a SIP-ISDN Gateway. Either method provides
conversion between legacy TDM-based telephone handsets and the IP environment, so
your phone handsets do not need to be changed unless and until you wish to migrate to a
full VoIP or unified communications environment.
15
Broadband Migration
15.1
Ofcom requires all providers to facilitate migration of broadband services. The mechanism
depends on the type of broadband, summarised in the table below.
From
WLR
To
WLR
WLR
Shared LLU
Shared LLU
Shared LLU
WLR, Shared or
Full LLU
Full LLU
Full LLU
Mechanism
Migrations Authorisation
Code (MAC)
MAC (BB); Notification
of Transfer (if changing
phone provider)
Parallel Orders Process:
MAC for BB; NoT for
phone
Migrate Order
WLR, Shared
MAC (certain ISPs only),
Action
Request MAC from existing
provider
Order migration from gaining
provider(s)
Order migration from gaining
provider
Order migration from gaining
provider
Order migration from new
LLU
Linked Order Process,
PSTN Provide
WLR, Shared or
Full LLU
Cable
No migration process –
Provide & Cease
Cable
WLR, Shared
or Full LLU
No migration process –
Provide & Cease
Fibre (BT
Infinity)
Fibre
VULA
phone provider and pass
reference to broadband
provider
Contact cable provider,
cease old service when cable
operational
Contact new provider, cease
cable when new service
operational
Order migration from gaining
provider
15.2
Using WLR (Wholesale Line Rental), ISPs can provide broadband and voice services over
the BT local network. BT owns the connection (known as the Local Loop) between the
customer premises and the local BT exchange, and the ISP leases the line from BT and
retails its services to the customer over it.
15.3
LLU: Local Loop Unbundling is a mechanism whereby ownership of the twisted pair copper
phone line between the customer’s premises and the BT exchange is transferred from BT to
another provider. At the exchange, the end of the circuit is switched from the BT network to
the new provider’s network. LLU is also known as MPF (Metallic Path Facilities).
15.4
Shared LLU: only the data service is transferred, the voice service remaining with BT.
Shared LLU is also known as SMPF (Shared Metallic Path Facilities).
15.5
Sub-Loop Unbundling (SLU) is similar to LLU, but the switch takes place at an intermediate
point (roadside cabinet or other provider’s premises) rather than the BT exchange. SLU is
also available in Full and Shared variants.
15.6
Certain ISPs accept MAC codes for services provided over LLU. If yours doesn’t, then your
migration will use a Linked Order Process which is in effect “cease and provide” with linked
orders for broadband and phone services.
15.7
VULA: Virtual Unbundled Local Access is a corresponding interim provision for migration of
fibre broadband. Where BT has deployed “superfast” fibre broadband, this gives other
providers access in a manner that corresponds to LLU access over copper. However,
rather than providing a physical line, VULA provides a virtual connection that gives other
providers a dedicated customer link and substantial control over the services. BT provides
these virtual connections through “Generic Ethernet Access” (GEA).
15.8
There are specific regulatory obligations regarding both copper and fibre broadband where
BT has Significant Market Power – see section 16.6.
16
Significant Market Power
16.1
Where an existing service is based on a wholesale product whose provider has SMP, and is
therefore subject to regulation, the wholesale supplier is under obligation to make various
provisions (listed in section 16.5) to enable new providers to provide equivalent service if
requested to do so. The only suppliers (currently) with SMP are BT and KCOM; the latter
only in respect of services provided in the Hull area.
16.2
In other cases (areas/services where BT/KCOM does not have SMP, and all other
providers), the decision as to whether to facilitate a gaining provider to provide new service
based on incumbent provision (e.g. novation, co-location, interconnection) is up to the
incumbent (losing) provider, who may or may not choose to negotiate such novation with the
gaining provider. Any relevant contractual exit provisions between the customer and the
losing provider will also apply.
16.3
SMP applies to Wholesale products according to the following table:
WECLA:
TI:
AI:
MI:
West, East and Central London Area, including Slough
Traditional Interface (TDM, SDH)
Alternative Interface (Ethernet <=1Gbit/s)
Multiple Interface (WDM, Ethernet >1Gbit/s)
Designation
Circuit / Service
Wholesale Local
Access (WLA)
Low TI
Broadband
Medium and high TI
Very high TI
AI
MI
National TI trunk
Regional TI trunk
Source: Ofcom
16.4
PSTN/DEL, ISDN-2, Leased Line
Access & Backhaul
(TILLAP/TILLBP), KiloStream,
MegaStream, E1 (ISDN30), E2
E3, STM1 (Frame Relay, ATM to
155Mbit/s)
STM4 (ATM)
Ethernet Access Direct (EAD),
Ethernet Backhaul Direct (EBD);
WES, WEES and BES (up to &
including 1Gbit/s)
Ethernet >1Gbit/s, WDM
STM1-4
STM1-4
<=8
BT
>8,
<=155
622
<=1000
BT
None KCOM
None
BT
None KCOM
BT KCOM
>1000
BT
155-622 None
155-622 BT
BT
None
None
BT
KCOM
None
None
BT
For Retail, in all areas except Hull, SMP applies as follows:
Service
Very low bandwidth TI retail leased
lines (<2Mbit/s)
TI retail leased lines, >=2Mbit/s and
<=8Mbit/s
Low bandwidth AI retail leased lines
(<=1Gbit/s)
Source: Ofcom
16.5
Provider has SMP?
Band UK exc WECLA Hull
width Hull &
(Mbit/s) WECLA
2-100
BT
BT KCOM
UK exc Hull
BT
Hull
KCOM
None
KCOM
None
KCOM
For the products and in the markets where BT or KCOM have SMP, Ofcom has imposed
regulation to ensure equitable provision as follows (excluding broadband):









Requirement to provide interconnection and accommodation services as reasonably
required by CPs in connection with the provision of the regulated service, on the basis
of Equivalence of Inputs (EOI);
Requirement to provide network access, including Accommodation Services, Customer
Sited Handover (CSH), In Building Handover (IBH), In Span Handover (ISH) and In
Span Handover Extension (ISH Extension) (noting that BT does not offer ISH products
for AI services at present);
Price controls for interconnection and accommodation services;
Requirement to provide Ethernet services on reasonable request (disaggregated
Ethernet access and backhaul);
Requirement to provide all network access on Equivalence of Input basis;
Obligation not to discriminate unduly;
Service Level Agreements and Guarantees (SLAs and SLGs) which reflect the
commercial SLAs and SLGs provided to end users of AI leased lines;
Transparency and notification obligations including publication of a reference offer;
Requirement to notify charges and T&Cs (and changes thereto);




16.6
Publication of quality of service as required by Ofcom;
Notification of technical information;
Accounting and accounting separation obligations;
Requests for new network access
For broadband products, as BT and KCOM have SMP (in UK excluding Hull, and Hull
respectively), BT or KCOM are required to provide Other Communications Providers
(“OCPs”) with access to their networks in the following ways:




Copper twisted pair: Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) – this allows OCPs to physically
take over (or share) BT’s existing copper lines between the local telephone exchanges
and the customer premises;
Optical fibre: Virtual Unbundled Local Access (VULA) – where BT has deployed Next
Generation Access (NGA), i.e. “superfast” fibre broadband, this provides OCPs with
access to BT’s NGA network in a manner that corresponds to LLU access to the
Current Generation Access (CGA) network. However, rather than providing a physical
line, VULA provides a virtual connection that gives OCPs a dedicated link to their
customers and substantial control over the services provided. BT provides these virtual
connections through “Generic Ethernet Access” (GEA);
Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA): this allows OCPs to deploy fibre in the access
network using BT’s ducts and poles - either to support deployment of fibre-to-thepremises (“FTTP”) technology, or to support deployment of fibre-to-the-cabinet
(“FTTC”) technology (by enabling a ‘backhaul’ connection between street cabinets and
the OCP’s network).
Sub-loop Unbundling (SLU): this allows OCPs to physically take over (or share) the
part of BT’s existing copper lines between a street cabinet and the customer premises.
This allows OCPs to deploy FTTC technology where they consider this to be economic
17
Migrating from Leased Lines (TI or AI) to Broadband
17.1
Migration considerations include:






17.2
The potential for service disruption;
Parallel operation whilst the new broadband service is tested;
For TI end-users, change of CPE such that data is mapped to Ethernet rather than
TDM interfaces and investment in new CPE to convert existing TDM services, such as
voice, to a data interface;
Security considerations of using a shared medium rather than the dedicated medium of
leased lines;
The service level agreement for broadband is different to that for a leased line and the
end-user needs to determine that it is sufficiently robust for their needs;
Analysis of the upstream and downstream bandwidth available over the course of a
typical week – broadband services exhibit varying transmission rates depending on
network loading, the service quality set and whether data is being downloaded or
uploaded.
The following table compares ADSL, ADSL2+ with leased line services.
Geographic
availability
ADSL
Nationwide
ADSL2+
BT covers around 90% of
the UK in early 2013 and
has announced plans for
92% by mid-2013.
TalkTalk covers 90% of the
UK and has announced
plans to cover up to 95%
Leased line
Nationwide
Bandwidth
Bandwidth
limitations
Contention
Latency/Jitter
Resilience
Security
Download bandwidth Download bandwidth of up
of up to 8Mbit/s,
to 24Mbit/s, upload
upload bandwidth of
bandwidth of up 1.4Mbit/s
up 832kbit/s
Bandwidth decreases according to local loop length
e.g. distance from the customer premise to the
exchange (practical limit of the order of 3km
(ADSL2+) – 5km (ADSL)
The amount of contention can be varied by
provision of backhaul capacity, depending on the
demands of the end-user, contention typically
varies between 20:1 to 50:1
Variable - dependent on the bandwidth capacity of
the network and offered traffic at any given point in
time, specified levels cannot be guaranteed
Not deployed in resilient configurations
64kbit/s up to
100Gbit/s
symmetric
capacity available
Not limited
Uncontended
Low
Resilient options
available
Medium to High
Inherently less secure as carried over a shared
infrastructure (although encrypted VPNs can
provide security up to IL3)
Deployed to support residential or limited business
end-user requirements
Service level
agreements/
guarantees
(SLA/SLG)
Synchronisation Not supported
Source: Ofcom
17.3
Deployed to meet
full business level
requirements
Supported
The following table compares FTTC and FTTP with leased lines services.
Resilience
FTTC
FTTP
BT deploys next generation broadband to around
50% of the UK in early 2013 and has announced
plans for 66% by the end of 2014. KCOM is
planning trial deployments in the Hull area.
Alongside this government funding has been
announced to help cover the final third of the UK.
Download bandwidth of up
Download
to 80Mbit/s, upload
bandwidth of up to
bandwidth of up to
330Mbit/s, upload
20Mbit/s.
bandwidth of up
60Mbit/s.
Whilst bandwidth
Not distance limited
decreases according to
loop length, the effect is
much less than for ADSL
technologies as the
relevant local loop length is
the distance from the enduser to the cabinet
The amount of contention can be varied by
provision of backhaul capacity, depending on the
demands of the end-user
Variable – dependent on the bandwidth capacity
of the network and offered traffic at any given
point in time, specified levels cannot be
guaranteed
Not deployed in resilient configurations
Security
Inherently less secure as carried over a shared
Geographic
availability
Bandwidth
Bandwidth
limitations
Contention
Latency/ Jitter
Leased line
Nationwide
64kbit/s up to
100Gbit/s
symmetric capacity
available
Not distance limited
Uncontended
Low
Resilience options
available
Medium to High
infrastructure (although encrypted VPNs can
provide security up to IL3)
Deployed to support residential and limited
business end-user requirements
Service level
agreements/
guarantees
(SLA/SLG)
Synchronisation Not supported
Source: Ofcom
17.4
Supported
Deployed to meet
full business level
requirements
Supported
The following table compares cable broadband with leased lines services
Geographic
availability
Bandwidth
Contention
Latency/ Jitter
Bandwidth
limitations
Resilience
Security
Cable
48% of UK population is covered by Virgin
Leased Line
Nationwide
Download bandwidth of up to 120Mbit/s, upload
bandwidth of up 10Mbit/s
Bandwidth not dependent on distance.
64kbit/s up to
100Gbit/s
symmetric capacity
available
Uncontended
The amount of contention can be varied by
provision of backhaul capacity, depending on the
demands of the end-user
Variable - dependent on the bandwidth capacity of
the network and offered traffic at any given point
in time, specified levels cannot be guaranteed
Cable networks have been deployed to ensure
there is no significant decrease with distance
Not deployed to support resilience options
Inherently less secure as carried over a shared
infrastructure (although encrypted VPNs can
provide security up to IL3)
Deployed to support residential end-user
requirements
Service level
agreements/
guarantees
(SLA/SLG)
Synchronisation Not supported
Source: Ofcom
Low
Not limited
Resilience options
available
Medium to High
Deployed to meet
business level
requirements
Supported
18
Migrating from Traditional to Ethernet Services
18.1
Considerations for migration from traditional (TI – legacy, SDH) to Ethernet (AI – Next
Generation, IP) services include:



the potential for service disruption;
parallel operation whilst the new broadband service is tested; and
for TI end-users, change of CPE such that data is mapped to Ethernet rather than TDM
interfaces and investment in new CPE to convert existing TDM services, such as voice,
to a data interface.
18.2
Technical differences between AI and TI services that mean they may not be suitable for
applications with extremely demanding network performance requirements (usually in
specialised environments such as universities or health) that require low and predictable
latency and jitter, inherent qualities of TDM-based TI.
18.3
However, carrier class Ethernet services now used in point-to-point solutions offer latency
and jitter performance comparable with SDH/PDH services. And mainstream applications
are increasingly migrating to Ethernet/IP technologies and are therefore designed to
accommodate the performance characteristics of Ethernet services. For example IP based
enterprise voice telephony applications such as SIP Trunking and IP Centrex can use
Ethernet leased lines.
19
PSN
19.1
The Public Services Network (PSN) offers a wide range of benefits which can include:



19.2
PSN transition considerations include the following:




19.3
assured security, integrity and availability;
rationalised network landscape within and between organisations to realise savings on
duplicated connections, multiple procurements and service and maintenance
overheads;
enablement of collaboration, commerce and sharing of services between organisations;
all within a dynamic and competitive commercial environment.
The organisation’s wide-area network may need substantial restructuring from its
existing architecture (especially if point-to-point) to PSN’s MPLS-based point-to-cloud;
The organisation’s connectivity estate will need to be fully documented in order to
maximise the rationalisation opportunities from PSN:
– Are there opportunities to combine multiple connectivity services, perhaps
supporting different types of services, or serving different departments, within a
building?
– Are there opportunities to share connectivity with other public sector users within a
building? Substantial savings may be possible through use of PSN to facilitate
connectivity service sharing in multi-tenanted buildings.
The deployment of the services running over the connectivity infrastructure, such as
voice, will need careful planning and testing to ensure seamless transition for users;
Code of Connection (CoCo) – see Paragraph 19.4.
The following table summarises high-level compliance-related activities necessary to ensure
your network and organisation satisfy requirements for PSN Services:
Activity
Obtain your service
provider
Description
Run procurement exercise to
evaluate and select provider
IT Health Check
Complete IT Health check if the
previous one is out of date
Submit CoCo
Application
Submit IP Address
request
Complete the elements of the
CoCo and submit to PSNA
Along with the CoCo application,
submit your IP Address
application, if required
If necessary, be ready to answer
questions about CoCo
submission. Ensure that your
Remedial Action Plan is
included if required.
Certificate Issued.
Return completed, signed calloff form to provider
Provider installs services
CoCo Application
review
CoCo Accreditation
Submit Order with
service provider
Service installation
User acceptance
testing
Carry out testing.
Timescale
Depends on procurement route:
up to 12 weeks for a further
competition
Around 6 weeks to arrange and
complete (concurrent with
procurement)
8-10 weeks to complete
(concurrent with procurement)
Part of CoCo development
Potentially another 4 weeks
8-10 weeks after submission
Around one week
As agreed with provider,
according to implementation
plan
1 week
Go Live
Go Live on PSN
Source: PSN Technical Transition Guidance
19.4
Organisations consuming PSN Services need to comply with a Code of Connection (CoCo),
a commitment that customers make to one another and to the PSN Authority in order to
ensure the integrity of the PSN for the benefit of all users. This needs to be approved by the
PSN Authority and a compliance certificate issued to the organisation before a service
provider will supply connectivity as a PSN Service – which connectivity then becomes an
integral part of the PSN.
19.5
If you have an existing GSi CoCo with some time left to run and you wish to start consuming
PSN Services, your GSi CoCo can be easily converted to a PSN CoCo.
19.6
The secure and economic sharing of information and services relies on Public Sector
organisations implementing their Information Assurance (IA) controls effectively. Your CoCo
is a cornerstone of this IA Trust Model. You must submit your annual CoCo renewal at least
1 month before your current CoCo expires.
19.7
The migration to PSN has simplified the IA controls, but increased the need for them to be
met. Some customers may find themselves being required to undertake some security
improvements in preparation for their migration to PSN.
20
Training
20.1
Support: Transition planning needs to allow for re-training of support staff to understand
and support the new infrastructure, particularly where changes of technology, equipment or
deployment are involved, as will be the case moving for example from traditional to
Ethernet-based technologies, between broadband and leased line, between different levels
of resilience (and consequent fail-over processes) or to PSN. Government Procurement
Service PSN framework agreements require the incoming provider to offer training on the
new services free of charge, but the customer will need to allocate the necessary time and
logistics.
20.2
Users: may need some training if the nature of connectivity services changes such that the
behaviour of user services may be impacted, for example from fixed line to broadband, or if
authentication requirements change, if resilience or other characteristics change that may
need user appreciation and possible intervention, and if there are new compliance
obligations as a result of moving to PSN.
20.3
Information Assurance: IA staff will need training if security requirements such as Impact
Levels change, and on compliance (CoCo) issues if the customer moves to PSN.
20.4
PSN: If the organisation is moving to PSN, then IT staff, IA and end users will all need
training in their respective CoCo obligations, as described in Section 19.
21
Integration with other services
21.1
If the new connectivity is being installed alongside existing infrastructure, then you will need
to ensure that the new provider integrates and tests the new services in conjunction with the
existing infrastructure to ensure a successful implementation. There may be a requirement
for a Cooperation Agreement between the new provider and the incumbent, and/or other
parties, to ensure coordination and cooperation to achieve a satisfactory transition. The
GPS PSN frameworks incorporate a Cooperation Agreement option between PSN service
providers.
21.2
If you are moving to PSN, the GPS PSN frameworks include provision for integration of PSN
Services. Each service provider’s Service Description describes how they will integrate their
connectivity services with those of other PSN providers, and how they will provide bespoke
integration services if required by the customer, together with charging information.
21.3
You will need to plan for integration testing of applications to ensure that all user
applications continue to operate satisfactorily over the new infrastructure. This will be
particularly important, and need careful user attention and acceptance criteria, if changes of
technology or deployment are involved, as will be the case moving for example from
traditional to Ethernet-based technologies, between broadband and leased line, between
different levels of resilience (and consequent fail-over processes) or to PSN. Differences
between broadband and leased line are summarised in section 17, and between traditional
and Ethernet-based technologies in section 18.
22
Network Management
22.1
Network management for the new connectivity services will be the responsibility of the new
provider, and will have been detailed (as requested by the customer) in the provider’s
tender. The level of management will depend on whether a managed or unmanaged
service is being provided, and may include:






Configuration management;
Software and firmware upgrades (for routers, switches etc);
Proactive fault management (trap, ping, poll – to establish incipient failures);
Network monitoring – map;
Reactive fault management – response to faults or notifications from users;
Utilisation monitoring.
22.2
You will need to ensure that higher-level network management systems are updated to
incorporate the changed infrastructure and reflect any changed practices.
22.3
You will need to ensure that your network management systems and their access provisions
continue to comply with your organisation’s security and authentication requirements, and
the PSN CoCo if applicable.
23
Security
23.1
If you are procuring connectivity from the GPS PSN Connectivity framework, the new
provider will be committed to providing a security plan to ensure that the new connectivity
services are implemented in accordance with your IA requirements, as well as PSN security
obligations if you are moving to PSN. Provisions for security management plans are also
included in the call-off contracts for other GPS frameworks such as Telephony Services.
23.2
If your new connectivity services operate at different Impact Levels from previously, you will
need to ensure that your security practices are updated accordingly.
23.3
Implementation of the new services will need to be consistent with your Information Security
Management system (ISMS) and your ISO27001 security accreditation, and you will need to
update their documentation in accordance with the new implementation, along with your
Risk Management and Accreditation Set (RMADS).
24
Authentication
24.1
Users: If the new connectivity involves changes in security levels, or in the means of access
(for example from fixed line to broadband), there will be changed requirements for user
authentication, depending on the services or data being accessed. Users will need
familiarisation with any new authentication requirements.
24.2
IT Support: Authentication credentials will change for IT support access to new firewalls,
routers and network management.
25
Service Levels
25.1
You should consider together with your users, taking into account application requirements,
whether existing service levels are still appropriate and cost-effective for the new services,
perhaps revising requirements in the light of historical analysis. Service level requirements
will need to be included in your ITT.
25.2
If you are procuring through the GPS PSN Connectivity or Telephony Services frameworks,
a default service level schedule is included in the call-off contract. Customers are free to
modify this or substitute their own.
25.3
If you are changing technology or deployment, e.g. from traditional to Ethernet-based
technologies, between broadband and leased line, between different levels of resilience or
to PSN, then aspects of service levels such as quality and availability are likely to be
affected.
26
Testing
26.1
You will need to develop a testing and acceptance plan to include as a minimum:







Test strategy,
Test specifications,
Test plans,
Integration criteria,
Parallel running procedures,
Acceptance test criteria,
KPIs.
27
Documentation
27.1
You will need to ensure that the organisation’s documentation is updated on a regular basis
to reflect the changed estate:





Operating and support procedures,
Information Standards systems and procedures,
Security accreditation – ISO27001
Risk Management and Accreditation Set (RMADS),
User guides.
28
Business Continuity
28.1
If you are procuring connectivity from the GPS PSN Connectivity framework, the new
provider will be committed to providing a BCDR plan to ensure that the new connectivity
services are implemented in accordance with your BCDR requirements. Optional BCDR
provisions are also included in the call-off contracts for other GPS frameworks such as
Telephony Services.
28.2
Your Implementation Plan will need to take full account of user and application requirements
for business continuity, and conform to the organisation’s BCDR plan. Planned outages will
need to be scheduled in cooperation with users, and all users will need to be kept informed
of so that they can plan accordingly for themselves and their applications.
28.3
The Implementation Plan may need to provide for parallel running to ensure that services
are not withdrawn before the replacement services are fully operational and proven for all
dependent services.
28.4
The Implementation Plan will need to include roll-back provisions where appropriate so that
in the event of a failure the configuration can be restored to a previous state to allow
services to resume.
28.5
Special provisions will need to be made for business critical applications, particularly any
that require 24x7 availability, including phone services.
28.6
Appropriate contingency plans will need to be prepared to cater for any failed
implementation.
29
Glossary
Many of the definitions in the Glossary are from Ofcom’s Business Connectivity Market Review (28
March 2013), Annex 17.
Alternative interface symmetric broadband origination] (AISBO)
A form of symmetric broadband origination service providing symmetric capacity between two sites,
generally using an Ethernet IEEE 802.3 interface.
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
A variant of DSL that supports higher bandwidth on downlink transmissions, i.e. from the exchange to
the end user than from the end user to the exchange.
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
A network technology that uses asynchronous time division multiplexing techniques and which
supports data transmissions at up to 622Mbit/s.
Backhaul Ethernet Services (BES)
A wholesale Ethernet service which provides high speed, point-to-point data circuits. Each one
provides a secure link from a customer's premises, to a Communications Provider's Digital Subscriber
Line Access Multiplexer and the Communications Provider's site.
Carrier Pre-Selection (CPS)
A mechanism that allows end-users to select, in advance, alternative Communications Providers to
carry their calls without having to dial a prefix or install any special equipment at their premises. The
end-user subscribes to the services of one or more CPS operators (CPSOs) and chooses the type of
calls to be carried by them. The end-user is billed for these calls by the CPS operator or Reseller.
Coarse Wave Division Multiplex (CWDM)
See WDM
Communications Provider (CP)
An organisation that provides electronic communications services.
Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
Sometimes referred to as customer apparatus or consumer equipment, being equipment on
consumers’ premises which is not part of the public telecommunications network and which is directly
or indirectly attached to it.
Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS)
A telecommunications standard that enables cable TV networks to support broadband internet access
services.
Dense Wave Division Multiplex (DWDM)
See WDM
Digital Local Exchange (DLE)
The telephone exchange to which customers are connected, usually via a concentrator.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
A family of technologies generically referred to as DSL or xDSL that enable ordinary copper telephone
lines to transmit broadband signals. ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), HDSL (High bit rate
Digital Subscriber Line) and VDSL (Very high data rate Digital Subscriber Line) are all variants of
xDSL.
Direct Exchange Line (DEL)
A line connecting the subscriber’s terminal equipment to the Public Switched Telephone Network
(PSTN) which has a dedicated port in the telephone exchange equipment.
Equivalence of Input (EOI)
A remedy designed to prevent a vertically-integrated company from discriminating between its
competitors and its own business in providing upstream inputs. This requires BT to provide the same
wholesale products to all CPs including BT’s own downstream division on the same timescales, terms
and conditions (including price and service levels) by means of the same systems and processes, and
includes the provision to all CPs (including BT) of the same commercial information about such
products, services, systems and processes.
Ethernet
A packet-based technology originally developed for and still widely used in Local Area Networks.
Ethernet networking protocols are defined in IEEE 802.3 and published by the Institute of Electrical
and Electronic Engineers. Developments of this technology known as Metro Ethernet or Carrier
Ethernet are now being used in communications providers’ networks to provide leased line and
backhaul services.
Ethernet Access Direct (EAD)
A wholesale Ethernet product which offers permanently connected, point-to-point high speed data
circuits that provide a secure and un-contended access service for Communications Providers. EAD
is a next generation network compatible service designed to complement BT's Ethernet Backhaul
Direct (EBD) and Bulk Transport Link (BTL) products already offered within the Connectivity Services
portfolio.
Ethernet Backhaul Direct (EBD)
A BT wholesale Ethernet product which offers permanently connected, point-to-point high bandwidth
data circuits that provide a secure and un-contended backhaul service for Communications Providers.
Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM)
A network technology for the delivery of Ethernet services over access networks. Although the
technology also encompasses fibre access networks, in common usage EFM refers to the provision
of Ethernet services over copper access networks.
Frame Relay
A packet-based technology used to connect several Local Area Networks.
Fibre-to–the-Cabinet (FTTC) An access network structure in which the optical fibre extends from the
exchange to the cabinet. The street cabinet is usually located only a few hundred metres from the
subscriber’s premises. The remaining part of the access network from the cabinet to the customer is
usually copper wire but could use another technology, such as wireless.
Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP)
An access network structure in which the optical fibre network runs from the local exchange to the
end user's house or business premise. The optical fibre may be point-to-point – there is one dedicated
fibre connection for each home – or may use a shared infrastructure such as a GPON. Sometimes
also referred to as Fibre To The Home (FTTH).
Generic Ethernet Access (GEA)
A BT Wholesale Ethernet product enabling OCPs to offer very fast broadband to customers over
FTTP and FTTC connections, where BT has deployed Next Generation Access (NGA), i.e. fibre or
“Infinity” broadband.
Gbit/s
Gigabits per second (1 Gigabit = 1,000,000,000 bits) A measure of bandwidth in a digital system.
Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON)
A shared fibre network architecture that can be used for NGA.
Hull Area
The area defined as the 'Licensed Area' in the licence granted on 30 November 1987 by the
Secretary of State under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 to Kingston upon Hull City
Council and Kingston Communications (Hull) plc.
In Building Handover (IBH)
An interconnection between BT and another communications provider where BT provides a POC at
collocation space rented by a CP in a BT local exchange
In Span Handover (ISH)
An interconnection between BT and another communications provider where the BT handover circuit
terminates at a point between BT’s premises and the communications provider’s premises.
Internet Protocol (IP)
A network technology used in packed-switched networks to route packets across network nodes.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
An organisation that provides internet access services.
ISDN30
A digital multiline telephone service conforming to the ISDN Primary Rate Access standard as defined
by the ITU.
Jitter
A measure of the variation of delay in transmission over a transmission path.
kbit/s
Kilobits per second (1 kilobit = 1,000 bits) A measure of bandwidth in a digital system.
Latency
A measure of delay in transmission over a transmission path.
Leased line (LL)
A permanently connected communications link between two premises dedicated to the customers’
exclusive use.
Local Area Network (LAN)
A network typically linking a number of computers together within a business premise, enabling
intercommunication between users and access to email, internet and intranet applications.
Local loop
The access network connection between the customer’s premises and the local serving exchange,
usually comprised of two copper wires twisted together.
Local Loop Unbundling (LLU)
A process by which a dominant provider’s local loops are physically disconnected from its network
and connected to competing provider’s networks. This enables operators other than the incumbent to
use the local loop to provide services directly to customers. LLU is the process whereby MPF is
provided to CPs.
Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) backhaul circuit
A circuit provided by BT that enables the connection of a communications provider’s DSLAM to a
communications provider’s point of connection with BT’s SDH network.
Local Serving Exchange (LSE) A building at which local loops are terminated and which also
houses telecommunications network and switching equipment.
Long Term Evolution (LTE)
A standard commonly known as 4G for high-speed wireless communication of data for mobile phones
and data terminals. The standard was developed by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project).
Main Distribution Frame (MDF)
A wiring flexibility frame where copper local loops are terminated.
MDF Site
A BT operational building containing an MDF. Also referred to as a Local Serving Exchange.
Metallic Path facility (MPF)
A two-wire metallic transmission path between the Network Terminating Equipment at a customer’s
premises and a main distribution or jumper frame at the exchange. The process of providing this
facility to CPs is also referred to as LLU.
Migrations Authorisation Code (MAC)
A code that identifies a local loop (telephone line) to be switched, and authorises its provider to switch
the customer to a new ISP.
Multiple Interface (MI) leased lines
Leased line services with bandwidths greater than 1Gbits/s and leased lines services of any
bandwidth delivered using WDM equipment at the customer’s premises.
Multiple Interface Symmetric Broadband Origination (MISBO)
A form of symmetric broadband origination service providing symmetric capacity from a customer’s
premises to an appropriate point of aggregation in the network hierarchy for services with bandwidths
greater than 1Gbit/s or services of any bandwidth delivered using WDM equipment at the customer’s
premises.
Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)
A packet-based technology that uses label switching techniques in order to improve and prioritise the
routing of packets between network nodes. MPLS is commonly deployed in VPN and NGN core
applications.
Mbit/s
Megabits per second (1 Megabit = 1 million bits). A measure of bandwidth in a digital system.
Next generation access (NGA)
A new or upgraded access network capable of supporting much high capacity broadband services
than traditional copper access networks. Generally an access network that employs optical fibre cable
in whole or in part.
Next Generation Network (NGN)
An IP based multi-service network capable of providing voice telephony, broadband and other
services.
Other Communications Providers (OCPs)
A communications provider other than BT.
Passive Infrastructure Access (PIA)
A remedy requiring BT to provide CPs with access to its passive access network infrastructure (i.e.
ducts and poles).
Passive Optical Network (PON)
A particular configuration of fibre-optic network that brings optical fibre cabling and signals all or most
of the way to the end user
Points of Connection (POC) A point where one communications provider interconnects with another
communications provider for the purposes of connecting their networks to 3rd party customers in
order to provide services to those end customers
POH Statement
An Ofcom statement on POH pricing. See annex 16 for links to the document.
Point of Handover (POH)
A point where one communications provider interconnects with another communications provider for
the purposes of connecting their networks to 3rd party customers in order to provide services to those
end customers.
Point of Presence (POP)
A node in a CPs network (such as an exchange or other operational building), generally one used to
serve customers in a particular locality.
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
A telecommunications network that uses circuit switched technology to provide voice telephony
services.
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
An Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard protocol for initiating a session that typically
involves streaming multimedia elements such as voice and video over IP.
Shared LLU
Similar to LLU, but only the data service is transferred, the voice service remaining with BT.
Shared Metallic Path Facility (SMPF)
SMPF (like MPF) provides a two-wire metallic transmission path between the Network Terminating
Equipment at a customer’s premises and a main distribution or jumper frame at the exchange.
However, SMPF allows a CP to provide a broadband service to its customer while another
communications provider supplies voice services on the same line. The process of providing this
facility to CPs is also referred to as Shared LLU.
SIP Trunking
A means of setting up virtual channels for voice and similar streaming communications services
between a user and a voice service provider using IP connections via the Internet or a private
intranet, corresponding to ISDN30 channels in TDM architecture. The SIP Trunks may share the IP
connections with other IP services, and therefore avoid the expense of separate physical circuits for
voice and data.
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)
A digital transmission standard that is widely used in communications networks and for leased lines.
Symmetric broadband origination (SBO)
A symmetric broadband origination service provides symmetric capacity from a customer’s premises
to an appropriate point of aggregation, generally referred to as a node, in the network hierarchy. In
this context, a “customer” refers to any public electronic communications network provider or enduser.
Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL)
A DSL variant that allows broadband signals to be transmitted at the same rate from end user to
exchange as from exchange to end user.
Traditional Interface (TI) Leased Lines
Leased lines services with an ITU G.703 Interface.
Traditional interface symmetric broadband origination (TISBO)
A form of symmetric broadband origination service providing symmetric capacity from a customer’s
premises to an appropriate point of aggregation in the network hierarchy, using a ITU G.703 interface.
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)
A method of combining multiple data streams for transmission over a shared channel by means of
time-sharing. The multiplexor shares the channel by repeatedly allowing each data stream in turn to
transmit data for a short period. PDH and SDH are examples of systems that employ TDM.
Voice over IP (VoIP)
A generic term used to describe telephony services provided over IP networks.
Voice over WLAN (VoWLAN)
Voice services provided over WLANs.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A technology allowing users to make inter-site connections over a public telecommunications network
that is software partitioned to emulate the service offered by a physically distinct private network.
Virtual Unbundled Local Access (VULA)
A method offering OCPs access to BT’s NGA network, in a manner corresponding to LLU access to
the Current Generation Access (CGA) network, that provides a virtual connection (rather than a
physical line) giving OCPs a dedicated link to their customers and substantial control over the
services provided.
Wave Division Multiplex (WDM)
An optical frequency division multiplexing transmission technology that enables multiple high capacity
circuits, to share an optical fibre pair by modulating each on a different optical wavelength. Also
Coarse WDM (CWDM) and Dense WDM (DWDM), differentiated by wavelength proximity and hence
the number of separate channels that can be accommodated in a single fibre. CWDM typically
provides 8 – 16 channels; DWDM currently up to 160 are commercially available (each supporting up
to 100Gbits/sec) and this technology is improving all the time.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A geographically dispersed telecommunications network, typically a corporate network linking multiple
sites at different locations.
Wholesale Broadband Access (WBA) Market
The wholesale market for fixed broadband services.
Wholesale Line Rental
A product that BT (or KCOM in the Hull area) is obliged to provide to other Communications
Providers. It enables other Communications Providers to offer both line rental and calls to end-users
over BT’s local network. This usually means that the end-user no longer has a contractual relationship
with BT and is billed solely by the WLR Provider
Western, Eastern, Central and East London Area (WECLA)
A geographic market defined by Ofcom in relation to SMP.
Wholesale Extension Service (WES)
A BT wholesale Ethernet product that can be used to link a customer premise to a node in a
communications network.
Wholesale end-to-end service (WEES)
A BT wholesale Ethernet product that can be used to provide a point-to-point connection between two
customer’s sites.
Wholesale Line Rental (WLR)
A remedy that requires BT to rent telephone lines to CPs on a wholesale basis.
Wireless LAN (WLAN)
LAN deployed by means of wireless technology, commonly referred to as wi-fi.
30
Annex 1 – Transition Plan
Transition Plan.docx
31
Annex 2 – BT Novation Handbook
BT Novation Handbook, including LoA and Novation Agreement templates:
https://www.btwholesale.com/shared/document/Support/FAQ/Novation_Handbook_Final_Jan12.docx