IoT and IPv6 Regional Center

Project Importance:

The Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) is a version of the Internet Protocol (IP) designed to replace IPv4, which currently directs almost all internet traffic, especially in the least developed countries, low-income countries, and other developing nations in the Arab region. However, IPv4 is nearing exhaustion in terms of available addresses, necessitating a transition to the new version. To fully harness the benefits of IPv6, most websites and the networks that connect them must adopt this new IP version a challenging transition requiring effort and support.

While IPv6 deployment is accelerating, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region and some European countries, areas like the Americas and Africa are relatively lagging. Expanding infrastructure to cover all locations is a challenging and costly task, as most related equipment is outdated and requires replacement. Furthermore, a lack of expertise in IPv6 and IoT-related issues slows the process of bridging the digital divide for development in the Arab region. The absence of a data culture for IoT further compounds the issue.

This highlights the need for policy and regulatory support for an enabling IoT environment, as well as for raising awareness among IoT developers, startups, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) about the regional and local challenges related to their involvement in designing, developing, and deploying IPv6-based infrastructure for IoT applications and services.

Initial Efforts:

Recognizing the importance of transitioning to IPv6, the Authority began its efforts in 2015 by forming a task force to promote IPv6. The task force undertook several initiatives, including organizing intensive training programs to develop a cadre of engineers from internet service providers (ISPs), universities, and government entities across all states to facilitate a smooth transition to the new internet protocol version.

Subsequently, an agreement was signed between the Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority (TPRA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in May 2020 to establish a regional Arab training center for IPv6 and IoT. Sudan was chosen to host this center, owing to the task force’s previous efforts.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits of the Project:

  • Establishing a single regional IPv6 and IoT expertise center for the ITU in the Arab region, hosted by Sudan (TPRA).
  • Assisting in the smooth transition from IPv4 to IPv6, particularly in the context of IPv6 IoT, for all internet services at the regional/national level.
  • Training at least seven certified specialists in IPv6 and IoT from each selected country in the Arab region, alongside developing strategies and plans for four Arab countries.
  • Forming a national task force for IPv6 and IoT deployment, comprising trained specialists who will become part of the ITU’s IPv6 community to ensure the continued promotion of IPv6 and IoT deployment in the Arab region. The national task force will be responsible for developing a national IPv6 and IoT strategy for their respective countries.
  • Enabling each national task force to share its IPv6 and IoT strategy with the ITU IPv6 team, offering constructive ideas and exchanging relevant expertise regarding IPv6 deployment.
  • Conducting ongoing regional training sessions on IPv6 and IoT at the center for upcoming years under the supervision of the ITU Arab Regional Office.
  • Organizing a regional IPv6 and IoT hackathon to accelerate the availability of IPv6/IoT solutions and devise innovative ways to promote IPv6/IoT adoption and deployment in the Arab region, particularly in Sudan.

Implemented Actions:

  • Establishing and equipping the Arab Regional Training Center for IPv6 and IoT with all necessary equipment and devices.
  • Providing curricula and identifying technologies, considering their replication within the same country and in other Arab nations.
  • Training and qualifying seven experts in IPv6 and IoT.
  • Conducting four training sessions (two on IPv6 and two on IoT) for Arab countries.
  • Holding two internal training sessions.
  • Organizing a regional Arab IPv6 and IoT hackathon.
  • Providing consultations and assistance to develop national strategies for IPv6 and IoT deployment in three Arab countries.
  • Establishing the national IPv6 transition strategy for the Republic of Sudan.

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