The deployment of IPv6 is a more sustainable solution that can deliver economic and social opportunities for the future of the Internet economy, as compared to other stop gap measures of either deploying IPv4 Network Address Translation (NAT), according to Professor Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Strategically, the Commission has commenced the development of the Internet Industry Code of Practice document that will guide the Commission and the Internet Industry.
This was contained in the EVC’s address at opening ceremony of a three-day 2017 International Workshop on IPv6 organised by the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in collaboration with AFRINIC, the internet numbering registry for Africa, which commenced in Lagos on Tuesday.
Prof. Danbatta represented by Engineer Haru Alhassan, director, New Media and Information Security at the Commission, said that the proposed Internet Code of Practice will lead ultimately to the establishment of shared principles, Norms, Rules that shape the use of the Internet in the Country.
While the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses is a global phenomenon, the need for IPv6 is even more urgent in Nigeria a location to the fastest growing ICT Industry, the EVC said, adding that IPv6 will enable an enormous increase in the number of Internet addresses currently available under IPv4.
He reiterated that while the abounding business and innovation opportunities alone are reason enough for the ICT Industry to make a quick transition to IPv6 capable IT infrastructure, IPv6 implementation brings much more to the table including increased security and ease of management; the new protocol features a network layer that ensures simpler security management than IPv4, because it has inbuilt security to facilitate encryption and authentication of communications; and having a full IPv6 infrastructure also makes network management easier and cost effective. “It has the advantage of a huge IP address space and an efficient routing mechanism. It reduces the need for routing tables, and also reduces server load.
“The Commission has commenced the development of the Internet Industry Code of Practice document that will guide the Commission and the Internet Industry. The proposed Internet Code of Practice will lead ultimately to the establishment of shared principles, Norms, Rules that shape the use of the Internet in the Country.
“In view of the strategic and economic relevance of IPv6 Implementation, and the NCC’s plan to boost Internet infrastructure, the Commission as the main driver of IPv6 migration will: develop regulatory guideline for IPv6 deployment over the ISPs and MNOs networks; develop a policy framework/roadmap for network migration; prepare detailed plans, strategies and guidelines as a result of this Roadmap to enable implementation at all levels; conduct awareness training and national workshop about IPv6 network migration; Implement migration plan for ISPs and MNOs; assist government agencies and private organizations in migrating to IPv6; recommend to council/taskforce of any incentives that shall be provided to ISPs and MNOs to encourage their network migration; Measure IPv6 readiness; type approve the IPv6 enabled devices and arrange for IPv6 certification; regularly audit the ISPs and MNOs network to achieve the policy and roadmap implementation; support the activities of the Nigeria IPv6 Council; and and monitor the migration process and recommend new target in the roadmap”.
The EVC thanked the organisers, as pointed out in 2016, there is need for technical skillset and competence as this was identified as one of the setbacks to the adoption of IPv6 during interactions with some of the industry stakeholders.
“Also, mentioned was the lack of buy-in amongst service providers since there appeared not to be any business case for it.
“While IPv4 might still be available in the African Region. Nigeria needs to be mindful that the adoption of IPv6 will not be a matter of choice as other developed and developing countries are already using this, and it will make Internet of Things and broadband services more seamless and more secured”, he said.
Prof. Danbatta urged the participants to take full advantage of the opportunities the training provides, “as this will assist the Country in raising the required awareness and Human Capital towards addressing the issues above”. – Nigeria Comms Week.
