Internet Ecosystem and challenges of IPV6 in Nepal by Shreedeep Rayamajhi.pdf

1. Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6
in Nepal
“Internet Protocol addresses, or IP addresses, are a core part of how the Internet operates. Every
device needs an IP address to connect to the Internet and communicate with other computers,
networks and devices. Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the next generation of the Internet protocol.
It was developed to succeed version 4 (IPv4) as IPv4 addresses have almost run out globally. While
there are only 3.7 billion unique IPv4 addresses available for use on the Internet ISP, the theoretical
IPv6 address pool size is 340 trillion trillion trillion addresses. IPv6 addresses comprise 128 bits and
they are usually shown as sequences of hexadecimal digits, separated by a colon character.”1
With the growth of the internet and technology, the accessibility and usage of the internet have
grown tremendously, which has triggered the need for better operability and measurability for a
better quality and standard of connection and network. At the grassroots level, there is still confusion
and a lag in the adoption of IPV6. Though Nepal stands in third place in IPV6 deployment in South
Asia, most of the bigger investment organizations are adopting the technology, while the majority of
the industry is still stalled by the limitations and complexity of IPV4.
The progressive adoption rate of IPv6 in Nepal poses several obstacles that have yet to be overcome at
the local level. One of the major challenges is the extensive network upgrades required to facilitate
IPv6 standards, necessitating a considerable allocation of funds towards infrastructure investments.
Some of the challenges of IPV6 in Nepal are
1 https://www.apnic.net/community/ipv6/
Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6 in Nepal by Shreedeep Rayamajhi

2. Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6
in Nepal
1. Limited IPv6 infrastructure: Nepal has limited infrastructure and support in the context of
IPv6, including local level routers, switches, and other networking equipment that is
compatible with IPv6 at the local level. This requires a high level of research and investment in
upgrading or replacing existing network infrastructure to support IPv6. The reality is, there has
been no major investment made by the government of Nepal in facilitating the industry.
2. Lack of IPv6 awareness and expertise: The major setback when talking about the
implementation of IPV6 is the lack of awareness about the implementation and advantages of
IPV6. There is a huge gap between awareness and expertise among network administrators
and IT professionals in Nepal about IPv6, its features, and its deployment. This may require
training and capacity building initiatives to equip people with the necessary skills to implement
IPv6.
3. Legacy systems and applications: Though there has been a progressive approach by a few of
the Internet Service Provider (ISP) organizations in rolling out IPV6, a major part of the industry
is still struggling with the localization of IPV6. Nepal, like many other countries in South Asia,
has been using legacy systems and applications that are not compatible with IPv6. The
upgrading or replacing of these systems and applications for the adoption of IPv6 may be time-
consuming and costly.
4. Coordination and collaboration among stakeholders: IPv6 deployment and operation require
commitment, coordination, and collaboration among various stakeholders, including Internet
service providers (ISPs), government agencies, network operators, and content providers. The
adoption process not only requires a proper channel but also a a collaborative policy
mechanism. Ensuring effective coordination and collaboration among these stakeholders in
Nepal may be a challenge.
5. Economic considerations: The major setback is the cost of implementing IPv6 in lower
economies. This may include upgrading infrastructure, training personnel, and addressing
legacy systems. Looking at the trend, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) and other organizations with limited resources, it has been a bigger challenge to
survive in the competition. The government's role and responsibility are huge in facilitating the
process and further working with the different stakeholders to create better opportunities for
all.
6. User adoption: There are bigger gaps in understanding the use and deployment of IPV6 at the
local level. Encouraging end users to adopt IPv6 may be a challenge, as it requires them to
Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6 in Nepal by Shreedeep Rayamajhi

3. Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6
in Nepal
upgrade their devices, applications, and network configurations. Educating and motivating end
users to adopt IPv6 may require awareness campaigns and incentives.
7. Policy and regulatory issues: Till date, there is no policy or we lack major documentation of
the IPV6 deployment process in Nepal. The Nepal Government needs to establish policies and
regulations that mandate or encourage IPv6 adoption, including addressing issues such as IPv4
address exhaustion, IPv6 address allocation, and IPv6 security. These issues are core technical
and further require normalization and adaptation. Developing and implementing appropriate
policies and regulations may require coordination among government agencies and other
stakeholders.
8. Interoperability and compatibility: Nepal is trying to create better facilitation for
interoperability and compatibility between IPv6 and IPv4 networks. This has created a
vulnerability during the transition period, which can be a major challenge in Nepal.
Implementing mechanisms such as dual-stack or tunneling solutions has been used for
ensuring smooth interoperability but has been a major challenge in the absence of expertise.
9. International connectivity: Nepal's reliance on international connectivity for internet access
may pose challenges to IPv6 adoption. Ensuring that international providers and transit
networks support IPv6 and provide connectivity may require negotiations and agreements at
the international level.
10. Awareness and education: Raising awareness among end users, businesses, and the general
public about the benefits and importance of IPv6 may be a challenge in Nepal. Educating
stakeholders about IPv6 and its implications may require awareness campaigns, workshops,
and training programs.
To address all of these challenges, the Nepal Government needs to invest in IPv6 infrastructure and
raise awareness among stakeholders about the benefits and importance of adopting IPv6. This can be
done through public-private partnerships, and collaboration with international organizations that have
experience implementing IPv6. With the right investment and policies, Nepal can overcome the
challenges of IPv6 adoption and build a more robust and resilient internet ecosystem. Addressing
these challenges would require a coordinated effort among various stakeholders, including
government agencies, ISPs, network operators, content providers, and end users.
Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6 in Nepal by Shreedeep Rayamajhi

4. Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6
in Nepal
Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6 in Nepal by Shreedeep Rayamajhi

5. Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6
in Nepal
Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6 in Nepal by Shreedeep Rayamajhi

6. Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6
in Nepal
Internet Ecosystem and Challenges of IPV6 in Nepal by Shreedeep Rayamajhi