Verizon Business expects to complete the deployment of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) on its public IP network worldwide in the next 18 months.
The company, which began the rollout in 2004, said it will complete North America deployment in 2008 and move into Asia and Europe in late 2008 to 2009.
Verizon Business will operate both IPv6 and IPv4, in a 'dual stack' arrangement, on its MPLS network core. It also has deployed IPv6 throughout its network access points (peering facilities) where Internet service providers exchange traffic, the company added.
The newest version of IP standard, IPv6 will offer many more Internet addresses than the current IPv4 standard, addressing the anticipated demand for more IP addresses resulting from the growing use of the Internet, including the expected connections of additional 'smart' devices well as radio transponders for shipping.