BT announces enhanced network

British Telecom (BT) has announced that it is upgrading its network infrastructure to focus on its key IP platform and the transfer of services onto an integrated platform for voice, video and data.

This upgradation, according to BT, is expected to be completed within this year.

According to the company, this strategy will allow it to integrate domestic and international voice capacity across nine countries in Asia-Pacific region.

Additionally, BT is increasing its direct coverage to 13 countries and 30 cities with its infrastructure across Asia Pacific.

The core subsea backbone operated by BT which supports its harmonised portfolio is also being upgraded from 300 Mb/s to 1.5 Gb/s following the growth of over 400 per cent in traffic to and from Europe, US and within Asia Pacific in the past two years.

Network paths added include, from Hong Kong to Europe, Singapore to the US, and between London and Singapore.

The implementation of a new voice platform will support convergence for the wholesale, corporate and video segments.

The installation of the new voice platform for an integrated international and domestic offering is progressing on schedule for Bangalore, Delhi, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Tokyo.

BT is investing close to $48 million in Asia-Pacific and this enhanced architecture is designed to provide the shortest possible path connecting Asia directly to the United States and to Europe, through multiple resilient links. This latest investment complements BT's VPN 'ring around the world' completed last year.