We, in BT, continue to manage efficiently our allocation of IPv4 address space and are also taking the necessary steps to manage a transition to IPv6. We are committed to the development and support of IPv6 on our networks and services and have a programme of investment in our network and systems over the next few years.
During 2011 and 2012, we will be working on our plans for full introduction of IPv6 to our Global and UK platforms, including hardware and system upgrades.
VPN Services
We have established the network architecture that allows both IPv4 and IPv6 to coexist at the network edge. We are also now conducting a network trial, leading to customer based trials which are set to continue throughout this financial year.
In parallel we are planning the design and development of VPN service and process supporting the transition of your VPNs to IPv6.
Please note that it is possible to support IPv6 today across the current BT MPLS VPN platform. The BT MPLS network encapsulates IPv6 traffic and tunnels it using customer site to customer site tunnel protocols such as GRE.1
Internet Services
Our commitment to developing IPv6 into a technical and commercial success and remaining at the forefront of IP based services has led us to run a customer based global IPv6 Internet Access trial for the past 2 years.
During 2011 and 2012, our BTnet (UK) and BTIA (Global) platforms will continue progressively deploying dual-stack capability with plans to launch full standardised IPv6 support early in 2012.
While IPv4 and IPv6 capabilities co-exist you will be able to use both protocols and implement your own transition plans without the risk and expense of a big bang approach. IPv6 support will be native though, as with VPN services, so if you wish to gain early experience with IPv6 you could start now using tunnels.
BT IPv6 Links