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Background
The most significant technological change since the
launching of the Web has begun with the introduction of the new
version of the Internet Protocol - IP Protocol version 6 (IPv6). The
current version of the Internet Protocol (IPv4) developed in the
1970’s allows for 4.3 billion IP access points, based on a 32-bit.
With the revolution of the Internet over the last decade, it became
clear that global addresses shortage would be critical in several
regions of the world, in particular in transition economies. The new
Internet is today perceived as the only alternative to enable global
connectivity by providing the means of getting the massive Internet
address space required.
The New Internet Protocol (IPv6)
Given the limitation of global addresses shortage,
the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), in charge of conceiving
Internet protocols (http://www.ietf.org), decided to move to a 128-bit
addresses protocol in 1995. Enabling some 340 million million million
million million million individual IP addresses, enough to take
account of every possible device over many decades from now. Main IPv6
contributions are security and true mobility, as well as
auto-configuration, peer-to-peer, enhanced security, quality of
service (QoS), extensibility, multicast/anycast and so on.
Transition phase
Given the scale of the transition, where millions
of IPv4 networks are at stake, v4 and v6 networks need to coexist,
facilitating users to communicate regardless of which protocol they
are on. As of July 2004, IPv6 is a reality in Japan and Korea -
(http://www.icann.org/presentations/PaulTwomey-Testimony-30sep04.pdf).
The transition phase for Europe and the US has already being announced
by 2007.
Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) -
global standard-setting organization for Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System (UMTS) has adopted IPv6, as the protocol for
next generation networks.
Others nations are also moving towards the new
Internet. China Next Generation Internet (CNGI) initiative, with
strong government support has started a large-scale IPv6 trial in 2003
where the main focus is Mobile Internet, as operators want to focus on
mobile video applications for youngsters.
Latin American Progress
The Internet has changed the way emerging and less
developed economies perform their business and every day
communications. New technologies and Internet are rapidly adopted in
Latin America, due to the fact that in most countries in the region,
telecommunications infrastructures have been privatized, and a
regulatory environment which promotes competition has become prevalent
over the last decade.
In spite of the severe economic difficulties in the
region, Latin American nations are showing a high yearly growth in the
subscription to broadband Internet connections, notably ADSL. Mobile
telephone deployment also continues to grow at a significant rate, to
the point that mobile telephony has more users than fixed line
service.
For a world population of 6.4 Billion in 2004, the
Latin America & Caribbean region represents 6.9%. Internet user growth
from 2000 to 2004 was of 209.5%, Africa 186.6%, Asia 125.6%, Europe
124% and Middle East 227.8%. The number of global users growth from
360 Millions in 2000 to 812 M in 2004 and in Latin America from 18 to
56 Millions.
Draft a co-ordinated roadmap for rapid IPv6
implementation in the Latin American region will be an effective
action in supporting the efforts to sustaining the momentum of IT as a
tool to improve productivity and remain competitive.
Several initiatives have already started such as
the recognition of LACNIC by ICANN (http://lacnic.net/), as the Latin
American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry in 2002. The
involvement of several academic and private sector entities in the
organization of capacity-building events for example in 2004: Global
IPv6 Summit in Brazil, 1st Latin American v6 Forum in Uruguay and the
IPv6 Workshop in Chile.
Global Market
Today’s market has driven customers to require
real-time and mobile access to information. Mobility is the killer
application as millions of devices “on-the-move” expect to be
networked in conjunction with the Internet revolution that gathers
pace with the advent of “network-of-everything”. The adoption of
wireless, portable devices is exploding as digital convergence has
already started in the telecom industry. IPv6 has been particularly
crucial for nations such as Japan, Korea, China and India, in which
wireless Internet is growing at an unimaginable pace and has given the
industry specific competitive advantages.
Conclusion
Adopting IPv6 and emerging technologies is
essential for Latin American economies to enhance economic
development, increase Internet penetration and protect cultural
heritage. IPv6 will help to eradicate a potential digital gap between
the info-rich and info-poor countries, as occurred with IPv4, with the
consequences of generating development and new business opportunities
for the local community. The mastery of future technologies such as
IPv6 is already seen as an important value add for sustainable
development.
Recommendations
The challenge is to be among the first key players
that benefit from IPv6 deployment to increase options of mobile
communication systems and accelerate the development of
mobile-commerce, education enhanced tools, e-health, e-government and
e-tourism. Today, tourism represents the world's largest industry
earner of foreign currency with an annual estimated 300 million
tourists.
Latin American decision makers ought to achieve a
co-ordinated smooth transition plan towards IPv6 technologies over the
next decade. However, to demonstrate readiness one should start by
fully understanding the main drivers and obstacles that can be derived
from adopting the new protocol. Raise awareness on the impact of
current and future services and develop expertise on co-existence
strategies.
Finally, IPv6 will certainly help to enhance people
quality’s lives by improving productivity and sustainability and
enabling adequate services to the urban and rural communities.
Rosa M. Delgado
ICT Expert
21 chemin de la Fouine
1294 Genthod
Switzerland
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The New Internet
Empowers Transition Economies
