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NTT America to Demonstrate IPv6 at Largest Capitol Hill Tech Policy ExhibitionNEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NTT America, a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of NTT Communications Corporation, is pleased to announce it will demonstrate an IPv6 Internet-based Earthquake Early Warning System at the 11th Annual Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee (ICAC) Kickoff Technology Policy Exhibition, on January 30, 2008 at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. The Tech Policy Exhibition will highlight some of the key pointed issues that will continue to impact policy-making in the 110th Congress. As the government mandate deadline for IPv6 is approaching it is important for governmental agencies and policy makers to learn more about the next generation Internet protocol, IPv6, and to understand how IPv6 can be put to good use by viewing a live application of IPv6 in an Emergency Alert System (EAS) framework. In an August 2nd 2005 memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to the Federal Chief Information Officers with the subject "Transition Planning for Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)," the OMB mandated that government agencies enable their core networks for IPv6 by June 2008. The memorandum specifically states, "We have set June 2008 as the date by which all agencies' infrastructure (network backbone) must be using IPv6." The features of IPv6, particularly multicast, but also QoS, security, mobility, and almost infinite address space, make it an ideal supporting protocol for EAS Internet-based systems. At the ICAC Kickoff Tech Policy Exhibition, NTT America will demonstrate an IPv6 based Earthquake Early Warning System, which warns the Japanese public of imminent earthquake events. The system, which is similar to the United States' EAS, has been in production in Japan since July, 2007. It is a joint effort between NTT Communications and the Japan Meteorological Agency. With this system, the service subscribers are alerted to major earthquake events via fixed, mobile, or wireless IPv6 enabled devices. The system alerts users to the scale of the earthquake and countdown before a major tremor strikes. For example, the subscriber may be informed that, "an earthquake of magnitude 4.2 will strike in 45 seconds." "We are pleased to have NTT America join us again as a demonstrator at the annual ICAC Kickoff Tech Policy Exhibition, the largest and longest running policy event on Capitol Hill," said Internet Education Foundation Executive Director Tim Lordan. "NTT America's IPv6 demonstration illustrates a critical policy issue with potential to impact the future of innovation on the Internet." "NTT America has been invited by the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee to participate in the ICAC Kickoff Tech Policy Exhibition since 2004," said Kazuhiro Gomi, VP, Global IP Network, NTT America. "As the only company demonstrating an IPv6 application at this leading forum, NTT America further solidifies its position as the pioneer in the development of real world, life saving applications based on IPv6." After Hurricane Katrina the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established the "Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks." The panel published the "Report and Recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission." One of the primary recommendations made by the panel was to "revitalize and publicize the underutilized Emergency Alert System (EAS)." This recommendation included "expanding the EAS to other technologies, such as wireless services and the Internet." Furthermore, the report recommended "establishing a comprehensive national warning system that complements existing systems and allows local officials to increase the penetration of warnings to the public, as well as target, when necessary, alerts to a particular area." The NTT Earthquake Early Warning System is such a system and could be used as a prototype for revitalizing and expanding the use of the EAS in the United States to minimize the impact of natural disasters. Though this system is in production in Japan to alert the public of earthquakes, it is feasible that it could be used to notify the public of other natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. At the event, Internet Caucus Co-Chair Senator Patrick Leahy will preview the technology issues that will be drivers for Internet innovation and policymaking decisions. The goal of this annual tech exhibition is to bring cutting-edge technology demonstrations to Capitol Hill that illustrate the power and flexibility of the Internet as a medium for communications, commerce, and democracy. This event will be widely attended by Internet industry and non-profit representatives, leading academics, and government policy staff. For more information on the kickoff visit: http://www.netcaucus.org/events/2008/kickoff/. About Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee The Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee is a diverse group of public interest, non-profit, and industry groups working to educate Congress and the public about important Internet-related policy issues. About NTT America NTT America is North America's natural gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, with strong capabilities in the U.S. market. NTT America is the U.S. subsidiary of NTT Communications Corporation, the global data and IP services arm of the Fortune Global 500 telecom leader: Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation (NTT). NTT America provides world-class Enterprise Hosting, managed network, and IP networking services for enterprise customers and service providers worldwide. For additional information on NTT America, visit us on the Web at http://www.nttamerica.com/. U.S. Product information regarding the NTT Communications Global IP Network and its award winning IPv6 transit services many be found at http://www.us.ntt.net/, by calling 877-8NTT-NET (868-8638), or by emailing [email protected]. NTT, NTT Communications, and the NTT Communications logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION and/or its affiliates. All other referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners. (C) 2007 NTT Communications Corporation. NTT America CONTACT: Christopher Davis of NTT America, +1-214-915-1354,[email protected]; or IPv6 Contact, Joya Subudhi of Subudhi Consulting Group,Inc., +1-804-440-4269, [email protected]; or Jamie Renninger of FinancialDynamics, +1-212-850-5658, [email protected] Web site: http://www.nttamerica.com/ |