ATU, African Union & Huawei Release Africa IPv6 Development White Paper

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    Nov 14, 2022

    On November 7, Huawei hosted the 4th African Broadband Forum at AfricaCom 2022, representing the largest ICT exhibition in Africa.

    At the event, the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), African Union (AU), and Huawei jointly released Africa IPv6 Development White Paper. The white paper — the first IPv6-specific white paper in the continent — analyzes the development of IPv6 across Africa and shares the IPv6 innovation practices of several leading operators in Africa.

    The white paper aims to help guide the innovation and development of IPv6 technology in Africa to accelerate the construction of network digital infrastructure and promote the development of the digital economy.

    Next-gen Internet

    IPv6 is inextricably linked to next-generation Internet. Network digital infrastructure with IPv6 at the core can connects data, applications, and computing power, and build the foundation of the digital economy. Countries around the world are actively promoting IPv6 development strategies and policies, formulating clear development roadmaps and timetables, and promoting the large-scale deployment and industrial development of IPv6.

    Anderson Amlamba, Director of Africa Union Management Information System, pointed out that the global consensus recognizes the importance of IPv6, adding that the IPv6 industry ecosystem has matured in terms of terminals, networks, applications, and cloud platforms. She stressed that Africa must accelerate IPv6 development and that governments should take a leading role in formulating IPv6 strategic plans and policies, and promoting IPv6 organizations, the industry, ecosystem construction, and talent cultivation.

    With the rapid development of IoT, industrial Internet, and artificial intelligence services, the shortage of IPv4 addresses is becoming an increasingly serious problem, with the evolution of IPv4 technology ceasing in 2016.

    IPv6 has sufficient addresses, strong scalability, and high security.

    By October 2022, the global IPv6 deployment rate was 40%, but development is uneven between countries, especially in Africa where development lags far behind the global average.

    “IPv6 must be treated as a matter of urgency. Otherwise, we run the risk of being cut off from the world.”

    Anderson Amlamba, Director, Africa Union Management Information System

    John Omo, Secretary-General of African Telecommunications Union, encouraged everyone to understand the importance and approaches for IPv6 migration and adoption, which is critical to the continued success of the Internet in transforming the lives of Africans and unlocking future opportunities.

    IPv6 Enhanced (IPE)

    The development of IPv6 also requires continuous technological innovation. IPE is integrated application based on IPv6. It draws on the scalability of IPv6 packets to enhance network programmability, certainty, and intelligent O&M, providing differentiated network experience and assurance for applications and users in different industries.

    The IPv6 Enhanced innovation system is divided into three development phases.

    Related: What Is “IPv6 Enhanced Innovation” & What Are Its Benefits?

    • Phase 1: Network programming. SRv6 is used to simplify networks and quickly provision services.
    • Phase 2: Experience assurance. Ensure user experience by using technologies such as network slicing and In-situ Flow Information Telemetry (IFIT).
    • Phase 3: Application-aware. Implement application-aware IPv6 networking (APN6) and achieve a high degree of autonomy.

    Ryan Zhao, CTO of ME & Africa Region of Huawei Data Communication Product Line, pointed out that IP transport networks are the cornerstone of thousands of vertical industries’ digital transformation. The IP transport network develops four key components based on IP Enhanced technologies.

    • Super Edge
    • Cloud-Network Express
    • Converged Backbone and
    • Digital Map.

    The IP transport network helps African operators build IPv6 intelligent cloud-networks to enable digital transformation in Africa.

    Related: Huawei Debuts iMaster NCE’s Real-Time Digital Map for IP Networks at UBBF 2022

    ATU, African Union, and Huawei jointly release the Africa IPv6 Development White Paper

    IPv6 development is a long-term and systematic project that requires innovative solutions, products, and technologies coupled with the cooperation of governments, IPv6 industry organizations, operators, and ICT vendors to promote its rapid development in Africa.

    Download the Africa IPv6 Development White Paper.

     


    Disclaimer: Any views and/or opinions expressed in this post by individual authors or contributors are their personal views and/or opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of Huawei Technologies.

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