China Unicom Internet (Uninet) is the network name of China Unicom public computer internet and an operating network directly engaging Internet approved by the State Council. Uninet began to provide Internet service officially to public in July 2000 and covers the whole country.

Network Characteristics

China Unicom Public Computer Internet (Uninet, 165 network) adopts China Unicom ATM data network as the bottom layer transmission network, with the coverage of 321 nodes across the country. Services provided include, dialup, dedicated line, and other Internet access services, VPN/VPDN service, IDC service, VISP service, international dedicated line, international roaming Internet access, mailbox service, etc.

China Unicom Internet network (Uninet) is characterized by high bandwidth, high capacity, brand new IP+ATM networking mode, all service, and complete interconnection. The structure of the network is composed of backbone layer, distribution layer, and access layer.

Distribution layer is composed of distribution nodes; in which, there are 7 core distribution nodes distributed in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Xian, Wuhan, and Chengdu. Additionally, international outlet is set up in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou; the bandwidth of the interconnection between nodes within the network has already exceeded 40G.

At present, the international outlet bandwidth of China Unicom Internet (Uninet) is 3.5G while the interconnection bandwidth between domestic networks is 19G; in addition to the access into NAP points at 1G bandwidth in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, direct Internet outlet with the other main domestic operators is available:

Backbone connection with China Telecom: 7.6G;
Backbone connection with China Netcom: 3.5G;
Backbone connection with China Railcom: 1G;
3G Backbone connection with China Education Network (CERNET): 3G;

After five years of development, Uninet has become one of the most excellent domestic IP network platforms and the users within the network have exceeded 13.6 million (as of December 31, 2004). Uninet gathered numbers of excellent ICP/ISP/ASPs, providing high-quality service to Uninet users. In the annual appraisal of the Ministry of Information, Uninet has been prized as “the First in User Satisfaction”. Uninet network platform won the First Prize of National Science Advancement in 2005.

At present Uninet has 30 domestic Internet circuits, totaled approximately 19.6G, mainly including China Telecom, China Netcom, National Exchange Center, CERNET, etc. Uninet has 27 international circuits, interconnected with 17 international operators, totaled 3.497G, mainly including Sprint, UUNET, AT&T, Cable & Wireless, Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan), TWGate, NCIC, KDDI, CWIDC, Abone, Kornet, Dacom, etc.

At the same time, Uninet has provided domestic and international broadband leasing service to numerous ISPs, mainly including Great Wall Broadband, FIBRLINK, DNS, TNETSTAR, Beijing CBD Telecom, Net Infinity, Tianjin Broadcast & TV, Guangdong Broadcast & TV, Jinan Broadcast & TV, China Information Broadcast Network, etc.

Network Advantage

High bandwidth – Over 3G international outlet; currently n×2.5G or n×10G high-speed relay has been opened in some areas to ensure the smooth domestic interconnection.

High capacity – The exchange capacity of national 7 core distribution nodes is above 40G.

Fresh new network – 165 network is an integrated service established on China Unicom data network covering the whole country, which adopts IP + ATM networking mode. It is a fresh new integrated platform network.

Multiple service – 165 network can provide telecommunication-class voice, data, image, and a wide variety of service programs and achieve nationwide roaming service, provide dialup and ATM/FR/DDN dedicated line network access function, and has opened GSM and CDMA network access (WAP service).  

Complete Interconnection – The network has been interconnected with other leading Internet (international/domestic) operators with high bandwidth.