British Telephone yesterday announced plans to provide the next generation of services through a “21st century network”.

Complementing BT’s expansion of broadband internet access, VoIP technology would be used across its network to carry both voice and data traffic.

The system will also propose new services such as TV-quality video and the integration of mobile phones with fixed lines. BT hopes that these services will compensate the decline in its core residential phone market caused by increased competition.

But if the new network will be cheaper to run, it could also put many jobs at risk.

Details in The Guardian.
Related entry: Wireless and Voice-over-WLAN phone service on one handset.