ATLANTA, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications announced today that it is prepared to support the next evolution of Internet addressing, Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6). The company is conducting active trials with Cox Business customers and plans to extend the trials to its residential product line in the future.

Similar to the 7-to-10-digit phone number migration in large metro areas, with the rapid growth of online devices and applications, the current Internet address schema (IPv4) is approaching its limits. IPv6 has a robust address space and consists of 128 bits as compared to 32 bits in IPv4 - resulting in approximately 340 undecillion (5 x 10(38)) IPv6 addresses versus the 4.2 billion available through IPv4.

"By migrating to IPv6, Cox is future-proofing its network, systems and products," said Jason Weil, principal architect, Cox Communications. "As a digital voice, video, Internet and commercial service provider, we are committed to a seamless transition, so our customers experience the same service in the future that they enjoy today. Cox's dual-stack IPv6 deployment allows customers the ability to continue leveraging their current IPv4 capability while incrementally adding the IPv6 support required for the next generation of network devices and applications."

IPv4 is expected to reach its limit in 2012, when all Internet customers must begin slowly migrating their devices and content to IPv6. Cox's core network is fully IPv6 compliant and the company is transitioning the network edge and support infrastructure to meet customer demand.

Cox Business provides voice, data and video services for nearly 250,000 small and regional businesses, including healthcare providers, K-12 and higher education, financial institutions and federal, state and local government organizations. According to Vertical Systems Group, Cox Business is the fourth largest provider of business Ethernet services in the U.S. based on customer ports and was ranked highest among small/midsize business data service providers in J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Major Provider Business Telecommunications Study(SM). Cox is currently the seventh largest voice service provider in the U.S. and supports more than 730,000 business phone lines. For more information about Cox Business, click here or call 1-800-396-1609.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves more than 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising. Cox is known for pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces.

For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunication; for five years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity; and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

SOURCE Cox Communications