In February, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) delivered the last remaining blocks of IPv4 addresses. These addresses may be exhausted sooner than previously predicted because of the Internet’s explosive growth.
All telecoms players will have to adapt their infrastructure to support IPv6. In a recent interview, TIM told RCR Wireless News that carrier has invested U.S. $740,000 to update part of its networks in Brazil. Other carriers are disclosing target dates for providing IPv6 connectivity.
During a series of meetings organized by the Steering Committee of the Internet in Brazil (CGI.br) and the Center for Information and Coordination Point BR (NIC.br), telecom operators reported the start to support IPv6 in their products Internet connectivity for the enterprise market.
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With IPv6 on tap, end is in sight for IPv4 in Latin America
Algar Telecom, which owns the CTBC brand, Highwinds, LANautilus, Level3 (formerly Global Crossing) and TIWS said they already support IPv6. GVT, owned by the French entertainment and telecom group Vivendi, said it will support IPv6 by January, while Oi and Telefônica said they will have support by July.
GVT, Oi and Telefônica agreed to also offer IPv6 connectivity this year to some customers, mostly large content providers on the Web.
NIC.br recommends that all operators enable their networks and begin to provide IPv6 connectivity this year if possible and to start offering IPv6 connectivity on their products to the corporate market by July 2012. Further, the institutions recommends that tests with end users begin in the first half of 2012. For content providers and any company or institution with a website or other service on the Internet, the recommendation is that the preparation is done during 2012 to begin operating with IPv6 before January 2013.
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