On 6 June 2012, the European Commission (EC) formally launched Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), which will help drive innovation in the field of new Internet services and applications.
Deploying IPv6 is a key action under the Digital Agenda for Europe. This is because the existing Internet infrastructure is being exhausted, leading to fewer possibilities to drive innovation in the field of new Internet services and applications. The final IPv4 addresses allocated to Europe (out of a total of 4.3 billion globally) will be handed out this month.
IPv6 offers many technical advantages such as the simplified deployment of IP security, a practically unlimited number of addresses, and standard routing, enabling a relatively continuous World Wide Web browsing experience. On the other hand, it allows companies to develop new technologies for the provision of services to the public, such as:
- Auto-configuration, or easy "plug and play" networking of a large number of devices;
- Peer-to-peer applications, including those involving Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and IP-TV.
Further information:
- Digital Agenda: Next Generation Internet Protocol takes off http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/12/414&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- Portugal rates as 15th country in the world in terms of migration to IPV6 https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=1128576
