In the changing world of the internet, one big question is whether IPv6 will ever fully replace IPv4. IPv6 is the newer version of IP addresses, but its adoption has been slower than expected. So, will IPv6 take over, or will we continue using IPv4 for a long time?

This article is based on an interview with Vincentas Gus, CEO of IPXO.

Why is IPv6 adoption slow?

To understand this issue, it helps to know some history. IPv4, the fourth version of the Internet Protocol, was created in the early 1980s. It has about 4.3 billion unique addresses, which seemed like a lot at first but quickly ran out as the internet grew worldwide.

To solve this, IPv6 was introduced, offering a vast number of addresses. People thought IPv6 would gradually replace IPv4 and fix the address shortage. However, as Vincentas Gus mentioned in our talk, “Looking at IPv6 adoption, we are far from where we thought we would be. We live in the IPv4 era, and we’ll stay in it for a while.”

There are a few reasons for the slow switch to IPv6. One major reason is the cost and difficulty of moving from IPv4 to IPv6. Many organizations have invested a lot in IPv4, and switching to IPv6 isn’t always seen as worth it, especially when IPv4 addresses can still be bought and used.

As Vincentas explained, “About 30% of IPv4 addresses aren’t even visible on the internet. So, the resource isn’t being used efficiently. We need to fix these issues with IPv4 before fully moving to IPv6.”

Because of this, some organizations are hesitant to switch. Additionally, IPv4 addresses are valuable, with companies like Amazon and Microsoft investing heavily in them. This ongoing demand has slowed down the adoption of IPv6.

Will IPv6 ever fully replace IPv4?

Given the current situation, it’s clear that IPv4 will be around for a long time. IPv6 might become more common as the need for more addresses grows, but it will be a slow process. Vincentas suggested, “We should focus on fixing the issues with IPv4 before worrying about when IPv6 will take over.”

Instead of only thinking about IPv6, the industry could benefit from making IPv4 more efficient. By using both IPv4 and IPv6 together, we can meet current needs while slowly moving towards a future where IPv6 plays a bigger role.

A future with both IPv4 and IPv6

The reality is that we will likely use both IPv4 and IPv6 for many years. IPv4 will remain important for the internet, while IPv6 will slowly become more common. As Vincentas wisely said, “Let’s focus on making the system sustainable so everyone can grow their business.”

So, while IPv6 holds potential, it’s not a question of if but when—and even then, IPv4 will still be needed.