The ETSI webinar introduced a new white paper highlighting IPv6 as a critical enabler for industrial IoT and 5G, offering a transition roadmap from dual-stack introduction to IPv6-only networks. Experts emphasized that Segment Routing over IPv6 (SRv6) simplifies network architecture by replacing legacy protocols like MPLS, enabling stateless programming and ultra-scale traffic engineering. The discussion noted that while IPv4 remains in use, future services such as V2X and industrial networks will likely be IPv6-only to support the projected 100 billion connected nodes. Industry leaders from operators like KPN, Telefonica, and China Telecom confirmed that IPv6 is now a market reality, driving new service designs and ecosystem opportunities.
Keywords: IPv6, SRv6, industrial IoT, network programmability, V2X