India starts issuing of IPv6 addresses

The Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN) has begun issuing IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) addresses, and is doing so at a 60 percent discount during the soft launch.

"This is to test compatibility of hardware and software that has to be in place. In next couple of months we will launch industrial grade of IPv6,” said Govind, CEO of National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), in a report Monday by Hindu Business Line.

IRINN is issuing the addresses starting at INR 21,999 (US$396) compared to the prevalent rate of around INR 66,000 (US$1,188)  in Asia Pacific region, noted the news daily.

IRINN was set up by state-run NIXI, and is recognized by APNIC, one of the five authorized bodies for issuing Internet addresses, to do so in India.

The Internet addresses under the present version IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4), are limited and service providers often assign single IP address to many users, making it difficult to identify the end user, noted the report.

"The number of IPv6 addresses available is enormous. ISPs (Internet Service Providers) can allocate an IP address to their users. People can be easily identified if they are using IPv6," said Sanjaya, director for services and operations at APNIC.