Sandeep Raithaita

Editor's Notes

• #4: In 2015, BT working with Toshiba Research Labs and ADVA demonstrated Quantum keys sent simultaneously with encrypted on same fibre using Toshiba equipment. These were 2x100Gb/s encrypted data channels over fibre using ADVA equipment. This is demonstrating that in the future we should be able to secure our core transmission network in such a way that it will be impervious to hacking. In 2014, BT and Huawei achieved a super channel speed of 3 Terabits per second over a single fibre. An incredible feat made even more impressive by being set over an existing fibre link, using commercial grade hardware and software in a real-world operating environment. To put that speed into a real context, it’s the equivalent of transmitting around 100 Hi-def films in a single second. In 2013, BT ran the first G.fast trial in Rushmere St. Andrew, near Ipswich. The trial had three customers connected to one DP. The network was overlaid to avoid interference to existing services, but used existing duct infrastructure. This led to the January 2015 UK G.Fast deployment announcement by Gavin Patterson, BT CEO, where he stated that sSubject to successful pilots in 2015, widespread deployment of G.fast will start in 2016-17 – helping BT deliver ultrafast speeds of up to 500Mbps to most of the UK within a decade. In 1984, the world's 1st 140 Mb/s commercial single mode optical fibre link was deployed by BT Running between Luton and Milton Keynes, these revolutionary 140 Megabits per second optical fibre cables replaced traditional copper. Lighter and thinner, they carried more information over longer distances. Fibre cables are also easier to install and maintain, this link taking just 38 days to get up and running. This was after successful trials in 1982 between BT labs, Martlesham and Kesgrave. In 1980, the world's first purpose-designed optical fibre submarine cable, a five nautical mile test loop, was laid in Loch Fyne, Scotland in January. 1968. Empress Exchange, West Kensington, the World’s first digital exchange, which was designed by the General Post Office research labs. 1962. Telstar was the first active, direct relay communications satellite. Belonging to AT&T as part of a multi-national agreement between AT&T, Bell Telephone Laboratories, NASA, the British General Post Office, and the French National PTT (Post Office) to develop satellite communications, it was launched by NASA from Cape Canaveral on July 10, 1962, the first privately sponsored space launch 1943 - One of the Post Office Telecoms (the forebear of BT) research teams designed and constructed Colossus, the world's first electronic programmable computer, at Bletchley Park near Milton Keynes. Tommy Flowers was the electrical engineer who designed Colossus, the world’s first programmable electronic computer, used to decipher enemy messages during World War II. From 1935, he explored the use of electronics for telephone exchanges –convinced that an all-electronic system was possible. Tasked by Alan Turing with automating one of Bletchley’s cryptanalysis procedures, Flowers proposed a huge electronic system, ‘Colossus’, using 10 times more valves than had previously been attempted. He countered scepticism by insisting that Britain’s telephone system used thousands of valves reliably because the electronics operated in a stable environment with the circuitry constantly on. Colossus proved five times faster, and more flexible, than previous devices; in all, 10 Colossus systems were used in Britain’s wartime decoding efforts. They showed in June 1944 that Hitler remained convinced Allied preparations for the Normandy Landings were just a diversion, and ultimately assisted the events that brought about the end of World War II. 1926 – The Post Office in the UK and Bell Labs in the US engineered the world’s first two way transatlantic telephone conversation (by radio). The commercial radio telephone service started in 1927. A regular public transatlantic telephone service from London to New York using long-wave radio transmission on a wavelength of 5,000 metres (60kHz) was begun on 7 January at 1.45 pm. The original tariff was £15 for three minutes, reduced to £9 the following year. The pic is rugby radio station (which was used for the service) 1846. And it was the formation of the Electric Telegraph Company in 1846, that not only led to the creation of BT but to the formation of the entire Telecommunications industry.
• #5: BT & EE are more powerful TOGETHER – this is a great example! Earlier this year BT and EE demonstrated how it can use a balloon and drone air masts to connect remote parts of the UK and keep communities online in the wake of disasters such as major flooding. EE plans to use mini mobile sites attached to a helium balloon—which it calls a “Helikite”—to provide wide area 4G mobile coverage where permanent sites have been damaged or in areas where there is no 4G coverage. You can see the helikite at the BT stand – so go and check it out! In June, we used 26 GHz test spectrum as part of the demonstration during BT’s Adastral Park Innovation Week. The mobile backhaul solution included a Parallel Wireless small cell on the Helikite communicating with an Athonet virtualized Evolved Packet Core (EPC) on the ground using a Phazr link. The addition of pre-5G backhaul increases 4G speeds and lowers latency, which increases the number of people that the air mast could keep connected and gives them a faster internet connection. The demonstration was an example of the potential applications and customer benefits of BT and EE’s 5G research activities, which are progressing well ahead of the deployment of future 5G networks.