bt infinity, 21cn and exchanges

[j1979]

so im a little confussed about bt infinity. can someone explain the following questions.

1) if an exchange is 21cn enabled, you can get infinity?

2) 21cn is fiber to the exchange, fiber to the box (sorry i don't know the correct name) on the street, and copper to the property?

3) it will be available to 3rd party non-llu providers. ie plusnet ect?

[BobF64]

As far as Ive read, 21CN is purely a move to IP routing rather than how its connected.

Best bet, if you want to know, is go to www.samknows.com and look up your exchange.

With regards to Infinity, its either Fibre to the home or cabinet, I think I recall reading that new housing estates would most likely be to the home, existing areas would be to the cabinet then copper to the home.

Of course, it could all have changed or been misunderstood.

[Jay]

I think 21CN is ADSL2+ and Annex M

[Cozwin]

If you go on BT site there is a list of Ifinity availability.

You can vote on your exchange being enabled next. Only 4 enabled currently i think.

[watercooled]

1) 21CN is an upgrade to the BT backbone, a 21CN enabled exchange is a requirement for ADSL2+ (from BT) and BT Infinity but doesn't imply either.

2) It's not as simple as that, 21CN is a big overhaul of the BT network, switching from POTS to VoIP for example but not much should change for the end user as a direct result of the switch. SamKnows has published a few good articles explaining it: http://www.samknows.com/broadband/ex.../21cn_overview
Infinity should be FTTC (Fibre to the cabinet) in most places with the last bit being copper. I've heard rumours about FTTP (to the premises) but to my knowledge nowhere has this yet.

3) It should be available to other providers in the same way as the current BT wholesale system. Also BT should be opening their ducts/telegraph poles soon allowing independent providers to install their own equipment without needing to rely on the BT monopoly.