BT21CN Consultation announced

29 July 2008

BT21CN common protocol - members asked to respond to consultation document

New common protocol - out for public consultation through BSI

Suppliers of telecare equipment and software have been challenged by BT plans to introduce BT21CN technology, which will be piloted through a Pathfinder Project in South Wales later this year.  As a result a database of social alarm and telecare equipment test results and upgrade options has been developed (and is nearing completion) for affected equipment. It can be found on the BT ‘switched on’ web site and is regularly updated.

One casualty of the 21CN technology has been the communication protocol BS7369. which has been rendered redundant.

A technical working group of TSA supply sector members has been collaborating to develop a new standard to replace the BS7369. The protocol  has been designed to work across the new network and has now successfully tested as 21CN compliant. It will provide an extended range of reporting and control capabilities for response centres to help support their service users and also help them to manage remotely installed equipment. 

TSA has been delighted to have facilitated the supply sector efforts. This new standard, BS 8521, has now been published as a draft by BSI.  After a period of public consultation will become a standard later this year, in good time for it to be available in equipment purchased next year and before BT21CN national roll out commences. 

The draft document can be downloaded from http://drafts.bsigroup.com/?i=179  and all interested parties are encouraged to read it and submit their comments to BSI during the consultation period which will remain open until early September.