IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, is a protocol that is used to identify network devices and route traffic between them. It has several advantages over its predecessor, IPv4.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed all telecom operators and internet service providers to complete their transition to IPv6, the most recent version of the internet protocol (IP), as soon as possible, with a focus on innovation and digitalization.
IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, is a protocol that is used to identify network devices and route traffic between them. It has several advantages over its predecessor, IPv4, including a much larger pool of IP addresses, which will pave the way for consumers to control home appliances via mobile phones via the Internet of Things (IoT). The migration to IPv6 is critical to enabling the deployment of new technologies such as IoT and 5G.
Internet Protocol (IP) used for transmitting data over the internet. IP is responsible for routing data packets from one device to another on a network. There are two versions of IP currently in use: IPv4 and IPv6.
IPv4 is the older version of the protocol and is still widely used today. It uses 32-bit addresses and can support a maximum of about 4.3 billion unique addresses. However, due to the growing number of devices connected to the internet, IPv4 addresses are becoming scarce, and a new version was developed to address this issue.
IPv6 is the latest version of IP and was developed to address the limitations of IPv4. It uses 128-bit addresses, which can support a virtually unlimited number of unique addresses, making it possible for the continued growth of the internet. IPv6 also includes several other improvements over IPv4, including improved security and support for new types of internet applications.
For this transition from IPv4 to IPv6, the PTA has remained engaged with its licensees and organised several capacity-building activities through the Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) and Internet Society (ISOC).
Mobile operators have enabled IPv6 for end users per the PTA’s instructions. However, for privacy reasons, users must change their network settings from IPv4 to IPv6 on their own.