Fifth IP Operator to EnsueInternational United On-Line Co Ltd (IUOL), one of China's first Internet service providers, is expected to become the country's fifth IP telephone operator if it gets an IP operation permit from the Ministry of Information Industry (MII).At present, only four network firms -- China Telecom, China Unicom, JiTong Communications and China Netcom -- are allowed to operate IP services in the country. MII has issued a public notice to open up China's IP market, and published regulations to standardize IP operation. The regulations include "General Technical Requirement for IP and Facsimile Service" and "Interconnection Technical Specification for IP Gateway Equipment." It also promises to select more qualified network companies to run IP service. IUOL, the Beijing-based network firm, has built a strategic alliance with a number of large IP technical and equipment providers, including Sino National Network Ltd (SNN), agent for iBasis's IP phone business in Asia. Through the strategic co-operation alliance, IUOL and SNN will introduce the VoIP solutions from iBasis Inc to provide equipment, technology and management support for China's IP telephone services. They will also concentrate on the construction of China's Internet communication VoIP operation platform. Fan Wei, chairman of IUOL, said that he is confident of the huge opportunities and prospect arising from iBasis technology. At present, IUOL has opened ISP services in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and eight other cities. The company plans to expand services throughout additional cities by the end of this year. "We will also set up alliance with well-known international IP telephone companies as Net2Phone and Cisco to bring all advantages of iBasis's IP phone technology to the customers," said Cheng Guanquan, CEO of SNN. Cheng said that the co-operation will help lead China's Internet communications into a new era.(China Daily) |
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