Saudi Arabia has joined the list of the world’s top ten countries using the latest Internet Protocol version (IPv6), the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) announced based on the index of Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC).
The Kingdom is estimated to have a 50 percent increase in the adoption of IPv6’s use compared to the last year and the country is now among the world’s top ten countries and ranks first in the Arab world and the Middle East region.
The latest version of the internet protocols globally, the IPv6 is characterized by more efficient packet and data handling. It has introduced a number of improvements to increase performance and security for Internet users.
The CITC explained that the noticeable growth in the adoption of IPv6 in Saudi Arabia began in the second quarter of last year, after the success of the trials of activating this version on the mobile phone network, highlighting its efforts to prepare a clear strategy for the adoption of the IPv6 and their keenness to raise awareness of its importance.
In line with its efforts as a digital regulator to bring about strategic transformation in the sector, the commission asked relevant authorities to adopt emerging technologies, like IPv6, to improve service quality.
The CITC also pointed out that the rank demonstrates the maturity of the information technology infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, and is the result of the formation of a national work team (IPv6 task force).
The task force, which included a number of government and private agencies intending to exchange experiences and unify efforts to achieve strategic goals to support the adoption of this version in the Kingdom, organized a number of workshops, conferences, and training programs presented by local and international specialists in the IPv6.
Further, it called on government and private agencies to activate this version in the electronic services available to take advantage of its features, as part of its role in supervising the Internet in the Kingdom and its adoption of modern technologies.
