OECD publishes new paper by Geoff Huston

Published on:Wednesday,2 April 2014

The Organisationfor Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy haspublished a newpaper by APNIC Chief Scientist, Geoff Huston, examining the current impactof global IPv4 exhaustion and the state of IPv6 deployment.

Following on from an earlier 2007 OECD report, which evaluated IPv4 exhaustion, the "Internet in Transition" paper details the risks inherent in the extensive use of different types of "IPv4 address extension" middleware, and the potential bearing this technology has on the wider Internet economy. The paper also provides commentary on the economic impact of the shift to IPv6, noting the future economic success of the Internet relies on this transition.

"The current success of the Internet is largely due to its openness, which fosters creativity and innovation. Limiting this 'permissionless innovation' by abandoning the transition to IPv6 will result in significant impairment in the utility and value of the Internet," Huston said.

The OECD is an international economic organization formed to stimulate economic progress and world trade. It undertakes research and publishes information to help advance these objectives.

Mr Huston observed that understanding the impact the rapidly changing Internet has on the public sector is important, but a challenge.

"There is a continuing need to understand the nature and implications of Internet technology, including issues around IPv4 exhaustion and the transition to IPv6. This paper assists in understanding the issues, including the economic ramifications, as distinct from the purely technological perspective," he said.

As a well-respected Internet technology expert, Mr Huston has contributed to greater understanding and awareness of IPv4 exhaustion and IPv6 uptake for many years. He has published many books, papers, and columns related to IP technology, and undertakes research on these subjects at APNIC Labs.  He was inducted into the Internet Society Hall of Fame in April 2012.

To hear more about Mr Huston's work with the OECD, watch his interview from the APRICOT 2014 Conference, held recently in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

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