IPv6 is Key to Business Growth and Opportunities

The Internet has transformed the world, growing over the past 30 years into a burgeoning network that connects some 840 million hosts and over 2 billion users all around the globe. However, IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) addresses have run out, and in order for the Internet to continue sustaining its growth, IPv6 is needed.

Preparing for the Next Generation

Singapore sees the importance of IPv6 and IDA is the government agency tasked with catalysing the local business community to leverage the potential of IPv6 and prepare for the next phase of Internet growth.

"With the explosive growth in mobile devices including wireless handheld devices, the increasing popularity of cloud computing and the emergence of the ‘Internet Of Things’, which connects everything like appliances and vehicles to the Internet, the need for IP addresses becomes even more prevalent," said Leong Keng Thai, Deputy Chief Executive/Director-General (Telecoms & Post), IDA. "Given that the Internet is now part and parcel of many businesses and the accelerating rate of globalisation, business growth will inevitably be impacted should there be a shortage of Internet addresses."

Urgency in Asia

While the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses is a global phenomenon, the need for IPv6 is even more urgent in Asia where economic growth is quickest.

"There are zero blocks of IPv4 addresses left in Asia, yet it has used the most IPv4 addresses over the past year," said Tony Hill, Chair of Asia Pacific IPv6 Task Force, which assists in IPv6 production-level deployment and promotion of economies in the Asia Pacific region. "With 60 percent of the world’s population and housing the majority of global growth, IPv6 is primarily Asia’s problem."

In addition, an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report in 2007 noted that the only sustainable solution that can deliver economic and social opportunities for the future of the Internet economy is IPv6.

Even in the short to medium term, it makes business sense for companies in Singapore and Asia to aggressively ensure IPv6 capability in their Internet strategies. "Since 2000, many of the major trading nations like Japan, Korea, China, Australia, US, Europe and India have embarked on IPv6 roadmaps," said Hill. "Many of their deadlines for readiness are set for next year!"

With recent economic turmoil in U.S. and Europe, banks and businesses are shifting their focus to tap into the growth of Internet economies powered by rising Asian economies. It thus becomes imperative that these companies themselves are ready to efficiently handle IPv6 traffic.

For more info: http://www.ida.gov.sg/Technology/20111215115733.aspx