April 26, 2001

 

NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) today announced that it will launch an Internet access service using the new Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) in Japan starting tomorrow, April 27. This is the first step in NTT Com's global IPv6 Internet service development.

The IPv6 Gateway Service, an IPv6 “native” service, will provide IPv6-connectivity by direct connection to a global IPv6 backbone via leased-lines or Ethernet. It will be launched for Internet service providers (ISPs), corporate users and research laboratories beginning tomorrow.

A second service, the OCN IPv6 Tunneling Service, will provide IPv6-connectivity using standardized technology that encapsulates IPv6 packets within IPv4 packets for transmission by tunneling through domestic IPv4 networks (OCN). This service, targeted at corporate and general users conducting cutting-edge IPv6 activities, will begin in early June.

The first IPv6 Gateway Service customers will be NEC (BIGLOBE), NTTPC Communications (InfoSphere), Fujitsu/@nifty,and Matsushita Graphic Communication Systems.

NTT Com and Verio Inc. today launched operation of the world's first commercial global IPv6 backbone, which will span Japan, the U.S. and Europe (see Figure 1). Also, NTT Com is planning to provide IPv6 Internet access services for home users, corporations and Internet business operators by spring 2002 (tentative), to help meet rising needs for connections to network-based home appliances and mobile terminals. Through such activities, NTT Com will contribute to IPv6 expansion and the creation of related new businesses.

Background

The IPv6 protocol will greatly expand the capabilities of the Internet, which currently uses the IPv4 protocol. It will, for example, eliminate the shortage of available IP addresses and offer greater possibilities for Internet usage, such as a simple solution for secure IP-based end-to-end communications between terminals (see Attachment 1).

Internet service providers (ISPs) throughout the world have been preparing for the full-scale use of IPv6 networks since 1999, when formal IPv6 addresses began to be issued. In Japan, IPv6 is being developed on both private and national levels. The WIDE Project led by Professor Jun Murai of Keio University, for example, has actively deployed an IPv6 stack, which is the packaging part of the IPv6 protocol. Moreover, the Japanese government's e-Japan 2000 Plan promotes the realization of an Internet environment using IPv6.

NTT Com became Japan's first commercial provider to adopt the formal IPv6 address management custodianship (TLA registry) in September 1999. NTT Com has verified the safety and stability of global IPv6 networks through numerous trials conducted over more than one year.

To meet the explosive demand for IPv6 use, NTT Com decided to construct an IPv6 backbone with Verio and commence IPv6 Internet access service.

New Services

1. OCN IPv6 Tunneling Service

By using IPv6 over IPv4 tunneling technology, this service will allow IPv6 to be used in the current IPv4 Internet environment, enabling both IPv6 and IPv4 usage (see Figure 2). Commercial services will begin in early June in NTT Com's OCN ISP service areas. Information on service application will be posted on NTT Com's OCN website by early June.

With the service, users will be provided with one block of /48 IPv6 addresses, which is worth 2⁸⁰ addresses. Please note that users will need equipment with an IPv6 over IPv4 tunneling function. Also, if the user has already applied for an OCN service, they will only be charged for the balance difference.



2. IP Gateway Service

NTT Com will provide a native service that provides transit to a global IPv6 network by directly connecting to a global IPv6 backbone operated jointly with Verio (see Figure 3). It will be offered as a test service in Otemachi, Tokyo from April 27 to March 31, 2002, and as a formal service thereafter. IP addresses will be provided depending on customer usage conditions.



Future Developments

NTT Com will implement the following activities to promote IPv6, as well as to develop new Internet business (Also see Attachment 2):

1. 1. Expansion of IPv6 services

The need for highly secure end-to-end Internet communications will rise in parallel with the expanded use of network-based home appliances and mobile terminals, as well as IPv6. NTT Com will help to meet the demand by providing additional new IPv6 Internet access services for the home, companies and Internet business operators by spring of 2002 (tentative).

2. Promotion of IPv6 in Asian Pacific

NTT Com and ISPs in the NTT Com group will promote the use of IPv6 in the Asian Pacific. In Hong Kong, services will be commercialized this year jointly with HKNet and in Australia a trial is being conducted jointly with Davnet Telecommunications to prepare for the launch of commercial services.

3. Advanced Applications of IPv6

NTT Com will also develop advanced IPv6 applications by conducting joint trials with companies, such as Takenaka Corporation, for end-to-end VPN that use IPv6 security functions. In addition, the corporation is developing new business in the Internet field by participating in projects targeting home appliances and mobile terminals.