BT takes further steps towards creating fully-converged fixed-mobile service

February 14, 2005

2 Min Read

LONDON -- BT has taken further significant steps towards creating the world's first fully-converged fixed-mobile service.

It has now finished putting in place its virtual mobile network for consumers and business customers. This is crucial to interlink with BT's broadband network, giving customers the flexibility and freedom of wireless services and the quality, speed and price benefit of a fixed line.

Project Bluephone, BT's device that will use the converged network to connect people at home, in the office or on the move, has also moved forward after successfully completing key technical tests.

As a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), not only can BT lay the foundations for convergence but it can now also offer new and improved mobile services to business and consumer customers. For consumers, these include faster access to the internet through GPRS and a new conferencing service that allows up to six people on a call. These are the first of a series of enhancements planned over the next 12 months.

Further tests of the Project Bluephone handset and service have shown good progress, including successful high-quality voice calls over Bluetooth onto BT’s fixed network. Range tests have exceeded the goal of at least 25 metres and seamless hand-over has been achieved between Bluetooth and the GSM mobile network during calls. The first base station controllers that manage the broadband access points in a customer’s home or office, which pick up the Bluetooth signal from the converged handsets, have also been successfully installed.

The first seamless handover between the Bluetooth connection to BT’s fixed network and the GSM mobile network during a call represents a major step towards launching Project Bluephone in the spring, with the new converged handsets developed by Motorola now proven to work across both networks.

Steve Andrews, BT Group chief of mobility and convergence, said: “BT’s vision for the future is one where you will be able to access all your applications and information on your choice of device, utilising the best network available with one customer experience. This significant progress demonstrates BT’s continued determination to make our mobility and convergence vision a reality for our customers..”

BT Group plc

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