Exactly 10 years ago the first internet-service-provider, or ISP, licences were granted in Malta. At the time, the internet was a new and exciting innovation dubbed as the “information super highway”. Access was slow and frustrating, yet the amazing potential of this revolutionary communications medium was obvious. Since then, we have had the “dot.com” boom and the telecoms bubble with the subsequent fall-out in both cases. Now, thankfully, the industry is showing good signs of health and stability, and is continuing to grow steadily.

From just a few hundred internet subscriptions in 1995, we now have over 80,000 internet users in Malta, more than half of whom are using broadband. Whereas back then one would connect at the speed of 14,000 bits per second, last week we had the announcement by broadband providers that speeds would now be boosted to two or even four million bits per second.

What is even more remarkable is that even though speeds have increased by 150 times, the average price of internet access has remained the same. This rapid development of the internet use in Malta, coupled with the liberalisation of our telecommunications sector have forever changed the way we communicate and do business both locally and internationally.

Now it is time to consider moving to the next generation internet. The Internet Protocol – or IP – is the language of the net, understood by all the millions of devices that are connected to it. So far, the version of IP that is used is version four. However, in the late 1990s a new version of the protocol – version six – was agreed upon. This gave us IPv6. Since then, plans have been formulated to migrate the internet from version four to version six. Initially, the need for this change was not widely felt. However, with the rapid take up of high-speed broadband and third generation mobile telephony, a technical problem began to emerge.

The maximum amount of IP addresses, one of which must be allocated to every device connected to the internet, is currently limited to four billion addresses. While this seems to be a large number, even if one address was to be assigned per person it still would be insufficient. IPv6 can cater for an almost infinite number of addresses, and this is the primary reason for migration.

The lack of IPv4 addresses causes another, less obvious problem. In order to cater for the decreased availability of IP addresses, a system was developed to map multiple addresses to a single one. This system – address translation – worked well for most applications, but it stifled the development of new applications that could not handle the translation process. This goes against the very spirit of the internet where connecting ought to be free and where innovation should be encouraged and supported.

However, updating the basic Internet Protocol can be very disruptive. In order to avoid widespread problems it is necessary to plan carefully and to address a number of issues at once. This is the reason why the government committed itself to set up a multi-disciplinary task force, representing a range of stakeholders.

The objective of this task force, led by the Malta Communications Authority, will be to explore the required milestones leading to an eventual nationwide migration to IPv6. In order to provide a facility that can be used by interested parties to experiment with away from “live” networks, it is intended to set up a test bed that will run IPv6.

Another priority will be the dissemination of technical information relating to IPv6. The task force should act as a centre of excellence on the subject and will publicise the need to fast-track migration. Connections with similar groups in other jurisdictions shall be established to ensure that Malta remains at the forefront of best practice in this area. Research will also be carried out to accumulate knowledge and develop competencies.

We have to recognise that Malta is at the “edge” of the internet. The transition will be most difficult at the backbone and core. Therefore, we have every opportunity to be among the first movers. From the consultation held so far with the industry, it appears that this initiative is widely supported. Together we have to build on this consensus to achieve success in this venture.

IPV6 is still an open issue. Ultimately, the deployment of IPV6 is not just about getting the technology right. It is about seeing that the evolution of the internet is driven by the needs of users at the edges of the network. This is a very powerful idea and, mindful of this, we can all come together to meet the biggest challenge of making people aware of the importance of returning once again to an internet that is simple to connect to, that can support innovation and still very importantly stimulate exciting new ideas.

Censu Galea is Competitiveness and Communications Minister