The aim of IPv6 Stakeholders Taskforce is to ensure Qatar’s leadership in the adoption of the latest international standards and the sustainability of development of IP Internet Domain in Qatar. Furthermore, these efforts are in alignment with Qatar Vision 2030 of developing the socio-economic to meet the growing needs of IP address related to Qatar 2022 World Cup and developing Smart Cities within the country.
During the meeting, RIPE NCC discussed the steps for a successful and smooth transition to IPv6, IPv6 security mitigation plan, IPv6 addressing and allocation, best practical technical approach, IPv6 dashboard and KPI measurement. Qatar University also shared an IPv6 implementation project discussing their successful methodologies used and MEEZA presented the IPv6 transition project for smart services in Musheirb City.
“The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 enables higher internet security and contributes to the continuity of a robust connectivity across the State of Qatar and in meeting smart and advanced next generation technologies for a smart living and smart cities such as Internet of things, E-Commerce and big data. In order to achieve this transition it requires a considerable planning, cooperation and coordination between all the related entities. CRA thanks all stakeholders for their support and cooperation,” said Abdulla Jassmi, Technical Affairs Department Manager, CRA.
"The RIPE NCC is committed to supporting efforts across our service region to develop network infrastructure and we applaud the work done by the CRA Qatar and the IPv6 Task force in identifying the key factors that will drive IPv6 deployment,” said Hisham Ibrahim, Technical Advisor (Middle East Regional Program Manager) at the RIPE NCC.
The developed IPv6 National Implementation Strategy provides a framework for the well-coordinated adoption of the system across the nation by ensuring that the various building blocks are in place in a timely manner that will enable end-user organizations to progressively move to IPv6. The strategy incorporates certifying the existing network equipment to be IPv6 ready, and the availability of robust security and risk impact assessment for IPv6 transition with all the stakeholders in government and private sectors.
The meeting was attended by representatives of 16 government and private entities; RIPE NCC, Ooredoo, Vodafone Qatar, QNB, Es’hailSat, QSAT, RigNet, QAPCO, MEEZA, KAHRAMAA, MOI, ADLSA, QCERT, Qatar University, and Carnegie Mellon University at Qatar. The meeting was conducted in continuation of the early IPv6 Stakeholders Taskforce meeting held in March, 2018 and CRA will conduct bimonthly meetings including all stakeholders to ensure IPv6 dual-stack deployment in 2018 and full transition to IPv6 before Qatar 2022 World Cup.