PARIS -- Research networks Belnet and Renater, and ISP Probe Networks, have signed up for France Telecom's IPv6 option, one of the first available on the international Internet transit market. By including IPv6 in their outsourced international capacity, the three players can effectively anticipate and manage the growing uptake of next-generation applications and technologies. For France Telecom, these deals mark the commercial launch of its IPv6 option for international carriers and ISPs.

Probe Networks is a Germany-based ISP providing hosting, collocation and IP transit services in Germany, Holland and the US. Their one-year international IP transit deal with France Telecom includes a 20 Mbps IPv6 access link, which will allow the company to meet the evolving needs of its customers by enabling services such as Internet relay chat.

Belnet and Renater manage the national research and education networks in Belgium and France respectively. Belnet, a customer acquired through France Telecom's wholesale distribution partner, Mobistar, has renewed a 1-year contract which includes IPv6 capacity of up to 155 Mbps dual stacks.

As part of a broader contract for international IP transit with Renater, France Telecom has put in place a 155 Mbps IPv6 access link; this complements the IPv4/IPv6 (dual-stack) capacity already available on Renater's national network (currently 2.5 Gbps). Many of the users connected to their networks (notably researchers and academics) are at the cutting edge of technical research and as a result, have a critical need for the advanced technical capabilities of IPv6.

IPv6 is the 'next-generation' Internet protocol designed to replace the current version, IPv4, and compensate for the growing shortage of Internet addresses. It is also designed to support major new "in-built" features such as auto-configuration, security and mobility. Demand for addresses is due to increase significantly over the next five years with the uptake of fixed and mobile data services. With this in mind, France Telecom has developed native IPv6 transit on its international Tier-1 IP backbone at speeds of up to 155 Mbps. Its offering is accessible from nine PoPs on three continents, with 40 peering agreements providing excellent connectivity. A single interface for both IPv6 and IPv4 traffic enables customers to exploit IPv6 capabilities while optimizing existing resources.

France Telecom's wholesale division works closely with the France Telecom R&D Division to constantly improve IPv6 network operations and provide customers with superior quality levels. The France Telecom R&D Division has used the IPv6 network for years for its own research purposes, testing equipment, developing IPv6 business cases and applications and engaging in regular discussion to address technical IPv6 issues and refine service levels.

In addition, France Telecom participates in a number of IPv6 working groups and forums to promote the advancement of IPv6 technology; for example the French and European IPv6 Task Force Steering Committees and the IPv6 Forum. France Telecom is also a partner of numerous projects and initiatives, set up to support and promote the widespread transition and integration of IPv6; these include Euro6ix, 6QM, SatIPv6 (EU-funded projects), 6TNet, CNGI (China), Star (Korea) and Moonv6 (US).

France Telecom SA