Nokia and France Telecom R&D have started cooperation to evaluate the France Telecom group's strategy and schedule for migration to IPv6, the Next Generation IP protocol.
The cooperation, which has started effectively in September with the delivery of the Nokia IP650 network security appliances to France Telecom R&D, is divided in several phases in which testing will be carried out on IPv6 routing and forwarding, interworking between suppliers, and IPv4/IPv6 transition mechanisms, as well as Nokia IP network security appliances.
"We are pleased to work with Nokia in our mission to build France Telecom's group IPv6 evolution strategy," says Tayeb Ben Meriem, Head of France Telecom R&D IPv6 Task Force. "We perceive Nokia as one of the most advanced and fervent supporters of IPv6 as can be seen from its participation in the IPv6 Forum and its commitment to developing products based on IPv6."
"IPv6 is a key strategic enabling technology of the future Mobile Internet that Nokia is taking an active role in building, and we are proud to work for this goal with France Telecom, one of the biggest global operators in the world," says Ronan Trebaol, Head of Solutions & Applications, Orange Customer Business Team at Nokia.
With the forecasted explosion of both fixed and mobile Internet and the deployment of new broadband, always-on technologies such as UMTS, WLAN, xDSL and Wireless Broadband, the IPv6 protocol will provide a practically infinite address space. This will make it possible to allocate a global Internet address to every electronic device, while improving support for the security and quality of service, as well as the built-in IP mobility, that end-users will be looking for.
Nokia sees the provision of increased address space and the in-built support of security and quality of service offered by IPv6 as vital to building the Mobile Internet world, since every mobile device requires its own IP address to enable operators, service providers and end-users to reap the full benefits of new mobile Internet services and applications.
Nokia is a world leader in IP network security appliances (running firewall, intrusion detection and anti-virus applications from best-of-breed partners) and enjoys over 30% market share of the global firewall equipment market (Gartner October 2001). Nokia co-chairs the IPv6 committee at the IETF and has been shipping IPv6 on their security platforms for almost one year, providing the option to use IPv4 or IPv6 and the ability to utilize IPv4 and IPv6 interworking.
About France Telecom
France Telecom is one of the world's leading telecommunications carriers, with over 88 million customers on the five continents (220 countries and territories) and consolidated operating revenues of 33.7 billion euros for 2000 (31.6 billion at September 30, 2001). Through its major international brands, including Orange, Wanadoo, Equant and GlobeCast, France Telecom provides businesses, consumers and other carriers with a complete portfolio of solutions that spans local, long-distance and international telephony, wireless, Internet, multimedia, data, broadcast and cable TV services.
France Telecom is the second-largest wireless operator and the number three Internet access provider in Europe, and a world leader in telecommunications solutions for multinational corporations. France Telecom (NYSE: FTE) is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
Further information:
Communications Department
Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 (0) 7180 38195
E-mail nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com