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Wapi standard applies to all companies

When it entered the World Trade Organisation two years ago, China became obligated to prevent the use of technical requirements from impeding trade.

Mainland authorities have issued regulations to help the country speed up the adoption of international standards. But in certain areas, such as telecommunications equipment and wireless local area networks (WLAN), China has developed its own standards.

China implemented its WLAN Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure (Wapi) encryption standard, developed by the Xian-based China Broadband Wireless Internet Protocol Standards Group, last December .

Foreign firms have until June 1 this year to comply with the requirement, which is incompatible with established international WLAN standards.

All foreign firms must work with a designated list of 24 local companies, which include Chinese computer maker Legend, to jointly produce and sell their WLAN gear in the mainland. These local firms, which have exclusive use of the encryption algorithm, will also certify product compliance.

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