An unlimited source of Internet addresses to be on stream in
Europe by 2010

Increasing
demand for Internet based services means that there would not be enough
addresses to support this expected growth, if no action is taken.
Encouraging internet users and providers to adopt the latest Internet
Protocol (IP version 6 or IPv6) will provide a massive increase in
address space, much in the same way as telephone numbers were
lengthened in the 20th century. The European Commission today set
Europe a target of getting 25% of EU industry, public authorities and
households to use IPv6 by 2010, calling for concerted action at
European level to get all actors prepared for a timely, efficient
change to avoid extra costs for consumers and give innovative European
companies a competitive advantage.

(27/05/2008)
"This is very much a case of a stitch in time saves nine", said Viviane
Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media. "In the
short term, businesses and public authorities might be tempted to try
to squeeze their needs into the strait jacket of the old system, but
this would mean Europe is badly placed to take advantage of the latest
internet technology, and could face a crisis when the old system runs
out of addresses. IPv6 provides more addresses in cyberspace than there
are grains of sand on the world's beaches. If Europeans are to use the
latest internet devices such as smart tags in shops, factories and
airports, intelligent heating and lighting systems that save energy,
and in-car networks and navigation systems, then we already face a
thousand-fold increase in demand for IP addresses. I call on Member
States to make sure that public authorities and industry have IPv6
widely sown up by 2010."

Full press release

"Advancing the Internet - Action Plan for the deployment of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) in Europe" (Full text of the Communication - .pdf)

Factsheet on IPv6

IPv6 website

EUROPEAN IPv6 Day (Brussels, 30 May 2008)

IPv6 animation (Media Player format)

• 
  Faire progresser l'Internet - Plan d’action pour le déploiement du protocole internet IP version 6 (IPv6) en Europe (71 Kb)
• 
  Weiterentwicklung des Internets - Aktionsplan für die Einführung des neuen Internet-Protokolls IPv6 in Europa (71 Kb)

• Press Packs

IPv6: Enabling the Information Society

IPv6 European Day - 30 May 2008 - Brussels, Berlaymont building - Room Schuman

All languages have syntactic rules. Those rules govern the
structure of sentences and allow communication. The Internet also has its own
language and its own syntax. All computers and electronic devices need that
syntax to communicate on the web. It is known as the "Internet Protocol". The
European Commission encourages the widespread adoption of its sixth version, the
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) on the basis of a specific
action plan that should be fully implemented by 2010.

The adoption of IPv6 will facilitate the deployment of online mobile
communications. It is also essential to ensure the growth and development of
tomorrow's Internet. The mentioned action plan builds upon
previous initiatives.

Why do we need an "Internet Protocol" ?

The Internet Protocol determines the assignment of all online IP addresses
of our electronic devices. All PCs and electronic devices that connect to the
web need one of these IPs to identify themselves and communicate with other PCs
or devices. The first version of the Internet Protocol appeared in the 1970s. In
1984, its fourth version, "IPv4", became a global standard. However, over
the years, an improved version has been developed: "IPv6".

Why does the Commission support the deployment of IPv6?

IPv6 provides many more IP addresses than previous IP versions, such as
IPv4.

According to some estimates, the existing pool of 4 billion IP addresses
provided by the IPv4 will be exhausted by 2011. IPv6 will allow every
citizen, network operator or organization to have as many IP addresses as they
need to connect every conceivable device to the Internet: mobile phones, car
navigation systems, home appliances (such as fridges, lamps, heating devices,
plugs), industrial equipment, etc. IPv6 would provide more locations in
cyberspace than grains of sand on the world's beaches – billions of billions of
IPs: 3.4×10³⁸ to be precise.

IPv6 offers many technological advantages that have significant economic
impact.

• Increased address space that is also easier to manage. With IPv6 a large
  number of devices or goods can be easily networked, at anytime and from anywhere
  (your home, your office, your car). IPv6 allows for "auto-configuration": the
  addition of a new device can be done without any further action. Applications
  such as Virtual Private Networks, Voice over Internet Protocols (VoIPs) or
  Peer-to-Peer Networking would also be easier to handle and more powerful.
• A key driver for many new mobile/wireless applications and services which
  might be too complicated and/or costly in an IPv4 environment.
• An essential technology for implementing ambient intelligence
• Empowered users, who will be able to connect their own network to the Internet.
• A competitive advantage for Europe in world markets. The technological
  opportunities IPv6 provides contribute to innovation and competitiveness.