Global recovery to pressure IP address pool

2009 was a dynamic time for Internet number resources despite the global economic downturn, according to a new report by APNIC’s Chief Scientist, Geoff Huston.

2009 was a dynamic time for Internet number resources despite the global economic downturn, according to a new report by APNIC’s Chief Scientist, Geoff Huston.

In the report, ‘2009 in Review - the IP Address Registry Perspective’, Mr Huston’s figures indicate that a resilient Asia Pacific ICT sector and high penetration rates for mobile Internet devices globally, were two standout factors in IP address allocations in 2009.

Mr Huston, a globally recognised expert on IP address consumption, explains that although address consumption was down 5% on 2008 figures, current projections that the central IANA pool of unallocated IPv4 addresses could be exhausted as early as late next year, indicate a continuing need for IPv6 deployment.

Of the 190.1 million IPv4 addresses allocated during the year, just under half (45.87%) were allocated in the Asia Pacific, with China consuming more IPv4 addresses than any other economy.

Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Australia also showed strong growth.

With IPv4 exhaustion approaching in as little as 18 months, an increase in the allocation of the new address protocol, IPv6, is growing.

Within the Asia Pacific region, Australia and Japan showed the highest level of activity in 2009. Australia received 52 new IPv6 allocations and Japan 32.

“The message on IPv6 deployment is spreading, with a global increase in the number of economies now with IPv6 resource holdings increasing by 17%,” said Mr Huston.

Local economies with IPv6 address allocations for the first time in 2009 include Brunei, the Cook Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

For more information please visit our APNIC stats in 2009 press kit.

Contact:

Phone: