The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) announced plans to migrate the existing version of Internet Protocol
(IP) from the fourth version to the sixth version.
Internet Protocol is the technology that enables gadgets such as laptops, and mobile phones to be connected to the web.
The government agency, in a notice dated Tuesday, February 14, added that the country was stepping-up plans to move from IPv4 to IPv6.
Consequently, the CA indicated that all devices would be required to be compatible with the new technology from July 2023.
"All internet connecting devices must at least contain IPv6 capability for them to be type approved for marketing and use in Kenya.
"All internet connecting devices must at least have IPv6 capability for them to be cleared on the TradeNet platform for marketing and use in Kenya," read the notice in part.
CA cautioned that those with devices that fail to comply with the new directive would have challenges accessing the internet.
On the other hand, the government agency noted that the move was necessary given that IPv4 was developed in the early 1980s.
"Should Kenya delay the full adoption of IPv6, then serious technological challenges may befall the country's ICT sector, including lack of access to the internet for new devices that will not have IPv4 addresses due to exhaustion.
"There will also be a lag in technological advancements due to the inability of the country to leverage new frontiers like the Internet of Things (IoT) devices which would be IPv6 enabled and which would require access to the Internet," read the notice in part.
Additionally, CA indicated that the new version of IP would ensure enhanced security for internet users and efficient use of network bandwidth.
"With most countries having migrated, networks for countries that will not have migrated will have to use strategies like tunneling which introduce attack vectors on the networks. This is likely to deter the uptake of e-commerce in the country," CA stated in its guidelines.
