ABSTRACT
As we saw earlier in the book, IPv6 offers the potential of achieving the scalability, reachability, end-to-end interworking, quality of service (QoS), and commercial-grade robustness for data as well as for VoIP/triple-play applications that next-generation networks require. According to some observers, the satellite market could in fact be the first to actually capitalize on IPv6 because a large part of the market consists of regions underserved by fiber; these tend to be the very same countries who are short on IPv4 addresses and whose Internet capabilities are hampered as a result. These regions also tend to be the fastest-growing market segments and the ones with
the largest population growth. Those same markets may be the first to embrace IPv6 and its large address space. Satellite providers also serve a large market of mobile customers such as the military or emergency response units that must set up and communicate quickly when responding to disasters. Some of IPv6’s features of interest include its inherent support for mobility and its autoconfiguration capabilities that make deploying an ad hoc network straightforward. Also, there are significant requirements coming from the U.S. DoD. Additionally, many new mobile phones are being released with built-in IPv6 capabilities. These kinds of mobile customers may soon require IPv6 support [CAM200801].
