China Telecom has completed a week-long test of IPv6 capabilities over its mobile network in Hunan, as part of preparations for its future LTE deployments.
The test covered IPv4/IPv6 single- and dual-stack services, as well as China Telecom's billing systems and back-end infrastructure.
ZTE provided engineering aid for the trial. The vendor said it has been collaborating with China Telecom since April, helping the operator solve challenges including addressing the large number of network interfaces while ensuring continuity of service for the existing live LTE network.
As part of the test, China Telecom verified the IPv6/IPv4 dual-stack capabilities of its LTE network, the companies announced.
ZTE is a major LTE equipment supplier for China Telecom. Last year, the vendor picked up 50% of the tender for the operator's initial TD-LTE contract, including being selected as the sole supplier for evolved packet core equipment.
Due to Chinese regulators' decision to award TD-LTE licenses ahead of the allocation of FDD LTE licenses, China Telecom plans to deploy a hybrid LTE network.
China Telecom and rival China Unicom were recently granted permission to commence hybrid FDD/TDD LTE network trials in 16 cities while they await the award of FDD licenses.