El futuro de las telecomunicaciones y la infraestructura de Internet: el papel fundamental de IPv4 en la adopción mundial de IPv6

In the rapidly evolving world of telecommunications, staying ahead of technological advancements is crucial for success. A key area of focus today is the global adoption of IPv6 — a topic that has significant implications for telecom companies worldwide. In this article, we dive deep into the importance of IPv4 to IPv6 adoption, exploring the benefits, challenges, and its impact on the future of the industry.

Vahan Hovsepyan, Asesor Senior de Políticas Públicas y Comunitarias en NCC maduro, Un experto líder en el campo, nos guiará a través de las complejidades de IPv6 y su implementación global, ofreciendo información valiosa sobre cómo las empresas de telecomunicaciones pueden navegar esta transición.

Con su amplia experiencia y conocimientos, Vahan explicará cómo en Ripe NCC logran que IPv6 impulse la innovación, la escalabilidad y un mejor rendimiento de la red, posicionando a las empresas para el éxito a largo plazo en un mundo cada vez más interconectado.

Adopción de IPv6: importancia global y desafíos

Anastasia: Today, we’re diving into one of the key technologies that is shaping the future of the internet — and the world — IPv6. Joining me is my co-host, Lado, Aipix’s Business Development Director and our special guest today is Vahan Hovsepyan, Senior Community and Public Policy Adviser at Ripe NCC. Ripe NCC stands at the forefront of IPv6 adoption, and he has a wealth of knowledge to share with us. 

Vahan: Thank you, Anastasia! It’s great to be here and discuss such an important topic.

Anastasia: Let’s kick things off with the big picture. Look at external factors that accelerate IPv6 adoption, what role do governmental regulations, economic incentives, and technological trends play?

Vahan: That’s a very relevant question. The role of government and regulations varies across countries. Some governments use regulatory means to push for IPv6 adoption. Ohile others leverage “soft power” by requiring providers to support IPv6 in exchange for state contracts or other incentives. In certain countries, national strategies are being developed to encourage the transition. We also see that technological trends, such as the deployment of 5G, IoT, and AI, smart cities, VSaaS are pushing the industry to adopt newer internet standards like IPv6. These technologies demand more IP addresses and resources, which IPv6 can provide. Additionally, security concerns are driving the push for more secure networks, and IPv6 plays a key role in this.

Anastasia: That’s fascinating. So, how do major tech players like cloud providers and other technology companies influence IPv6 adoption?

Vahan: A los gigantes tecnológicos les gusta Amazonas, Google, Microsoft, and others have already embraced IPv6 in their systems, which has been a game-changer. Their adoption is a major catalyst for local operators to follow suit. One of the past barriers was that operators would question the need to enable IPv6 when there were few services supporting it. Now, with the support from these major players, it’s clear that IPv6 adoption is not just a nice-to-have; it’s necessary for staying competitive. However, in regions like Central Asia and Middle Asia, there are still issues with legacy security systems and other outdated technologies that need to be upgraded to support IPv6. Vendors are beginning to understand that these outdated systems are holding back the transition and need to be replaced.

Pronóstico de adopción de IPv4 a IPv6

Anastasia: What’s your forecast for the complete transition from IPv4 to IPv6?

Vahan: Well, some people hope for a 100% transition, but realistically, that’s not going to happen in the near future. We don’t anticipate a full transition from IPv4 to IPv6 anytime soon. While networks and countries are adopting IPv6, IPv4 will continue to be used to ensure that resources are still available. However, the deployment of IPv6 is critical for future development and the growth of services and networks. For regions like Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, the pace of adoption varies, but we are seeing positive growth, especially in places like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. However, challenges remain, particularly with outdated infrastructure and equipment that isn’t compatible with IPv6.

IPv4 a IPv6. La región observa la adopción

Anastasia: ¿Cómo cambian estos pronósticos en regiones como Medio Oriente, Asia Central y Europa del Este, donde la infraestructura y los presupuestos son tan diferentes?

Vahan: In regions like Central Asia and Middle East, one of the major challenges is the existing infrastructure — especially older equipment that doesn’t support IPv6. This is particularly true for larger, often monopolistic operators who have already invested heavily in IPv4-based equipment. Upgrading this infrastructure requires significant resources. Another key challenge is ensuring that security systems and other critical infrastructure can comply with IPv6 standards. While there are definitely hurdles, we are seeing gradual progress, especially in countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Los proveedores aquí están haciendo de IPv6 una prioridad en sus estrategias de desarrollo digital.

Anastasia: That’s fascinating. So, how do major tech players like cloud providers and other technology companies influence IPv6 adoption?

Vahan: A los gigantes tecnológicos les gusta Amazonas, Google, Microsoft, and others have already embraced IPv6 in their systems, which has been a game-changer. Their adoption is a major catalyst for local operators to follow suit. One of the past barriers was that operators would question the need to enable IPv6 when there were few services supporting it. Now, with the support from these major players, it’s clear that IPv6 adoption is not just a nice-to-have; it’s necessary for staying competitive. However, in regions like Central Asia and Middle Asia, there are still issues with legacy security systems and other outdated technologies that need to be upgraded to support IPv6. Vendors are beginning to understand that these outdated systems are holding back the transition and need to be replaced.

Iniciativas RIPE NCC de IPv4 a IPv6

Anastasia: Definitely, industry leaders have a huge role to play in driving the transition. Now, Vahan, let’s talk about the role of your organization, RIPE NCC. What initiatives do you have in place to help operators speed up their transition to IPv6?

Vahan: Ripe NCC desempeña un papel fundamental en el apoyo a la adopción de IPv6, trabajando directamente con operadores de red, gobiernos y organismos reguladores. Proporcionamos recursos esenciales e información sobre los desafíos y las oportunidades de implementar IPv6. Nuestra organización ofrece diversas iniciativas, como eventos, seminarios web y programas de capacitación. Ofrecemos acceso gratuito a seminarios web y exámenes de certificación para profesionales del sector, lo que contribuye a fortalecer sus conocimientos y perspectivas profesionales. Además, utilizamos herramientas como nuestro Atlas de IPv6 para supervisar la implementación y compartir los resultados con el sector. Nuestro objetivo es garantizar que la adopción de IPv6 sea un proceso fluido y coordinado, especialmente en regiones donde el apoyo gubernamental es crucial.

Lado: Can we dive a bit into my favorite regions like Central Asia and MENA? When we speak about the IPv6 initiatives, do you have any special initiatives for these regions? And you mentioned that, it’s very important to have support from governments. So do you have any successful cases how do governments in these regions support IPv6 adoption?

Vahan: Yes, I have already mentioned the creation of IPv6 councils, where the main role is played by the governments. In Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, there are already IPv6 councils, where the head of the IPv6 council is a deputy minister, I believe, and other industrial organizations are also supporting these activities. For Uzbekistan, we’ve also created an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) where we’ve outlined different activities to support technological and telecommunication development, including the adoption of IPv6. Based on this MOU, we’ve implemented several activities, such as creating an action plan for IPv6 development, and working with one of the monopoly operators, UzbekTelecom.

We’ve provided tailored training for them and the leading mobile operators, helping them understand their current infrastructure and advising on improvements. There was a special focus on this in Uzbekistan. We’re also in the process of drafting an MOU with KyrgyzTelecom and the Ministry of Communications in Kyrgyzstan, which we hope will be signed soon. We’ve also joined the IPv6 Council of Kazakhstan, and we’re preparing another MOU with them to provide dedicated resources. We don’t work only in Central Asia or the CIS. We have an MOU with Georgia’s regulator, GNCC, where we’ve been supporting activities related to IPv6 adoption. We’re also active in the Middle East, where we’ve joined the IPv6 Council and worked with IGU and other industrial stakeholders, such as ITU, ISO, and ICON.

Recently, we even went to Moldova, and in June, we’ll be participating in RIPE NCC Days, one of the key events where we’ll engage with both governments and companies to discuss IPv6 adoption.

Adopción de IPv6: Los cambios de los operadores de telecomunicaciones

Anastasia: That’s interesting. So, after widespread IPv6 adoption, how do you see the evolution of telecom and internet infrastructure? What changes can we expect?

Vahan: That’s quite an interesting question. IPv6 deployment isn’t just about shifting from an older technology to a new one. It’s about creating a competitive advantage for countries in their digital developments. After IPv6 deployment, we will see more services evolving, like SRv6, which provides additional benefits. States could also create economic incentives to help finance the transition. IoT development will be huge, with IPv6 enabling more connectivity and opportunities for software companies to create products based on. It’s the foundation for the future of telecom development, leading to a wide range of possibilities for new services. IPv6 adoption will certainly drive digital transformation, opening doors for more efficient and diverse telecom infrastructure.

Lado: ¿Crees que IPv6 puede hacer que Internet sea menos centralizada, especialmente en términos de gestión de tráfico o redes peer to peer?

Vahan: La adopción de IPv6 podría, de hecho, reducir la centralización de internet. Actualmente, los proveedores utilizan equipos que permiten compartir una dirección IPv4 entre varios clientes. Con IPv6, cada cliente, e incluso cada dispositivo, puede tener una dirección IPv6 única. Esto reduce la necesidad de infraestructura compartida y la hace menos centralizada. Sin embargo, como mencioné, internet ya está descentralizado, y la adopción de IPv6 simplemente lo impulsará aún más en esa dirección. Esta tecnología supone un avance técnico que mejora las capacidades de la red sin cambiar necesariamente el panorama político. Hace que las redes sean más eficaces y competitivas, lo que beneficia tanto a los gobiernos como a los proveedores.

Lado: Interesting. You’ve mentioned smart cities earlier. Can smart cities be a catalyst for IPv6 adoption?

Vahan: Absolutely. If a country wants to succeed in the digital era, it must prioritize the development of networks that support digitalization efforts, such as smart cities, IoT, and 5G coverage. Smart cities require vast internet resources, and without IPv6, it’s nearly impossible to provide the necessary infrastructure. Think of all the devices and sensors in smart cities —they need IPv6 addresses to function properly. Without IPv6, it’s simply not feasible to support the digital transformation required for smart cities, telemedicine, and IoT networks.

Adopción de IPv6: Casos de cooperación entre iniciativas

Anastasia: ¿Puede darnos algunos detalles interesantes o estudios de casos de Asia Central o del Medio Oriente?

Vahan: ¡Claro! Una de nuestras actividades emblemáticas en Asia Central es la creación de Foro de Interconexión y Peering de Asia Central (CAPIF). El registro para CAPIF 4 El año 2025 ya está abierto. This event helps providers in Central Asia and neighboring countries improve their peering and interconnection, as well as adoption of IPv6. Central Asia is landlocked, and it’s challenging for them to establish redundant internet connections to the rest of the world, due to geopolitical and historical factors. That’s why we’ve been supporting their efforts, helping them find alternative ways to improve international connectivity. We’ve also supported the Kazakhstan Network Operators Group, which is very proactive and hosts its own conference. We’re involved in several regional events and are working closely with key stakeholders from Central Asia, Caucasus, and even Iran, which plays a pivotal role in enhancing regional connectivity.

Anastasia: Sin duda, existen obstáculos para la adopción de IPv6. ¿Cuáles considera que son los desafíos más importantes?

Vahan: The main challenges are a combination of factors, including financial constraints and the need for investment in telecommunications infrastructure. Many companies still hold large IPv4 allocations, which creates resistance to transition. There’s also a shortage of specialists and knowledge in some regions. But the most significant obstacle is the lack of awareness and understanding of the importance of IPv6. Governments need to recognize that without IPv6 deployment, they cannot fully support the digital services they want to offer. This includes telemedicine, smart cities, and IoT networks. We can help by providing training and technical support to overcome these challenges.

Adopción de IPv6: Actividades de capacitación

Lado: Entonces, ¿qué iniciativas lleva a cabo? MADURO ¿El NCC ofrece ayuda con esta transición, como apoyo financiero o técnico? Además de apoyar a los operadores, ¿...? MADURO ¿NCC proporciona apoyo financiero o técnico, programas de capacitación, laboratorios, entornos de prueba o proyectos conjuntos con los reguladores?

Vahan: MADURO NCC ofrece una amplia gama de apoyo a nuestros miembros y a la comunidad en general. MADUROComunidad. Ayudamos a organizar eventos regionales, como el Foro de Peering de Asia Central y el Grupo de Operadores de Red de Oriente Medio. Nuestra empresa También organiza actividades como el Día de la Medición de Internet, que realizamos en colaboración con ICON y otros actores interesados. NCC maduro RIPE Labs ofrece una plataforma donde se comparten artículos de investigación y temas de desarrollo industrial. Además, planeamos seguir apoyando a los grupos de operadores de red y fortalecer la cooperación con organismos estatales para facilitar su transición a IPv6. Nuestras iniciativas también incluyen investigación local, certificaciones profesionales y la creación de entornos de prueba y laboratorios.

Anastasia: It’s great to hear about all the initiatives RIPE NCC is involved in. This kind of support is invaluable to the industry. Vahan, thank you so much for sharing your insights today.

Vahan: Fue un placer. ¡Gracias por invitarme!

De IPv4 a IPv6. Conclusión

A medida que el mundo migra a IPv6 y las tecnologías de videovigilancia se convierten en parte integral de la seguridad y la mejora de los servicios, el poder de la colaboración y las alianzas estratégicas nunca ha sido tan evidente. Al unir fuerzas con organismos del sector e iniciativas globales, las empresas tienen la oportunidad única de innovar, mejorar sus ofertas de seguridad y mantenerse a la vanguardia en un mercado en constante evolución. 

Aipix stands as a key partner in this journey, helping businesses harness the potential of next-gen technologies. Let’s embrace the future of cooperation — where collective efforts drive smarter, safer, and more connected solutions for all.

Let’s embrace the future together — where innovation, security, and connectivity make life safer and smarter!