21CN Rollout

Are exchanges still being upgraded to 21CN ?

My rural exchange (EAWIX) hasn't been upgraded and isn't currently part of phase 1 of the BDUK rollout for Essex. I'm hoping I might get at least the possibility of ADSL2+ for a slight speed boost.

Small exchange with no LLU either.

21CN is still at a coverage level below that of TalkTalk LLU and new exchanges are being added, but usually to complement the fibre based roll-outs.

So waiting on phase 2 of Essex project really, from area I'd say cabinet1 is a candidate for FTTC if next phase has a high coverage level, and maybe even the EO in Wix itself.

Interesting snippet on http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/business/business-suppo... that leads to a business provider doing Wireless in Tendring

Though the Spartan website http://www.tencomm.co.uk/ does make me a little worried, particularly when they get the speed units all wrong.

Another option may be http://www.countybroadband.co.uk/residential/

Edited by MrSaffron (Tue 27-Jan-15 11:12:47)

We went the other way. LLU was provisioned in the exchange (EASRM) by Trilogy Telecom (later they became Edge), but only a couple of years later they pulled out.

BT never really bothered with 21CN even though it was on the cards ..

Thanks MrSaffron.

I'm connected to cabinet 1, so that's hopefully good news. I know Tendring have already committed funding toward phase 2, so that might help too.

The wireless mast is another option I'm considering, but it looks like that's been delayed (again) - the site is now up for sale.

County Broadband don't cover our area (yet), but say it might well happen soon. Looks like it might be worth talking to the local church to see if they'd consider being part of their scheme.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

21CN is still at a coverage level below that of TalkTalk LLU and new exchanges are being added, but usually to complement the fibre based roll-outs.

Out of curiosity why won't BT touch my exhange (NSICL) with a bargepole and 21CN it yet the the likes of Sky, TalkTalk, C&W have had their ADSL2+ equipment for ages? I know its a commercial decision but if Sky, TT, C&W et al are happy with their investment (ie getting a return on it) the mind boggles why BT haven't put their ADSL2+ equipment in as well.

Because 21CN roll-out now is more about ensuring the handover exchanges for FTTC have WBC backhaul network in them, not about rolling out ADSL2+, i.e. ADSL2+ is dying to be replaced by FTTC and variants.

So unless you are a handover node chances of 21CN ADSL2+ are slight these days, unless it will help a bit with USC coverage.

Funding and customer base surely is BT draw to FTTC rather than 21CN.

Edited by flippery (Tue 27-Jan-15 13:37:19)

My small exchange (2000 lines maybe?) got both 21CN ADSL2+ and TalkTalk LLU... after they started deploying FTTC/P as part of the Superfast Cornwall programme. Until then it was BT Wholesale IPstream only.

MrSaffron suggests that it's to do with handover locations but in my case I don't believe the local exchange would be the handover point since Sky Fibre is also available - and it's more likely to be the nearby town anyway.

I read somewhere that they were putting ADSL2+ into some exchanges so that the older ADSL equipment could be reclaimed and used as spares for other exchanges, before they eventually 21CN those too. I don't know how true this is though.