Chinese Telcos Detail IPv6 Commercial-Use Plans
China Business News, 4/12/13
At the 2013 Global IPv6 and Next Generation Internet Summit in Beijing this week, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) indicated that it will promote the introduction of IPv6-related policies, with the aim of drafting standards for technology solutions and evaluation standards for network and website IPv6 upgrades as soon as possible. All three of China's major telecom operators presented their own plans at the summit.
Deng Hui, director of the China Mobile (NYSE: CHL; 0941.HK) Research Institute's Network Institute (unofficial translation), said that the operator will launch a tender for mobile IPv6 terminals this May, at which point it will begin commercial use of IPv6 in cities in ten provinces including Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Fujian. China Mobile expects to have 3 mln IPv6 users by the end of 2013. In 2014 and 2015, China Mobile's networks in developed Eastern China markets and 50% of underdeveloped Central China and Western China markets will support IPv6. China Mobile will begin full IPv6 adoption beginning in 2016, at which point all new subscribers will use IPv6, and all new terminals, equipment, and services will be fully IPv6-compliant.
Zhao Huiling, director of China Telecom's (NYSE: CHA; 0728.HK) cloud computing research center, said that that the operator has already rolled out IPv6 broadband access services in the cities of Wuxi, Changsha, and Nanjing, and plans to expand to more than 20 new cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi'an, by year's end. China Telecom will begin large-scale commercial deployment of IPv6 in 2014 and 2015, ultimately switching some regions over to pure-IPv6 access and upgrading support systems in all provinces to bring IPv6 coverage to its full network with the exception of some Western and Northern city networks.
Ma Yan, deputy GM of China Unicom's (NYSE: CHU; 0762.HK; 600050.SH) technology division, said that by the end of 2013 the operator hopes to grow to 300 mln IPv6 broadband subscribers, begin mobile IPv6 data trials, and complete upgrades to its self-operated service systems and support systems. By 2015, China Unicom hopes to implement seamless connectivity and interaction between IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
Editor's Note: For more background on this topic, please see "China's Next-Gen Internet to Start Commercial Use in 2013" MD 12/13/12 issue.
Keywords: Deng Hui Global IPv6 and Next Generation Internet Summit government policy timetable Zhao Huiling China Telecom China Mobile China Unicom telecom MIIT IPv6 CHL 0728.HK 0762.HK 0941.HK 600050.SH CHA CHU Ma Yan standard China Mobile Research Institute
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