[rpd] IPv6 as a criteria in IPv4 Soft Landing AFPUB-2026-v6-001-DRAFT01

[Tshepo Masuku]

Dear all,



Jordi's deployment examples clearly show that IPv6 can achieve impressive
levels of traffic once implementation reaches scale.



However, those same examples also illustrate another reality.



Even networks with very high IPv6 utilisation continue operating dual-stack
environments because IPv4 remains an essential part of today's Internet.



That raises an important question for this policy discussion.



If dual-stack remains the practical operational model for the foreseeable
future, should IPv6 deployment become a prerequisite for receiving IPv4
resources?



In my view, IPv4 Soft Landing should primarily address how scarce IPv4
resources are managed fairly and transparently.



IPv6 adoption is certainly beneficial where it improves operational
efficiency, but making it a policy criterion assumes there is a universal
deployment pathway that every operator can reasonably follow.



Operational realities differ significantly across networks, markets and
regions.



Successful Internet governance has traditionally allowed those differences
while maintaining neutral coordination of shared resources.



Perhaps we should continue encouraging IPv6 through collaboration,
technical support and community knowledge sharing, while ensuring IPv4
policy remains focused on managing IPv4 itself.



Keeping those objectives separate may ultimately produce stronger outcomes
for both protocols.



Kind regards,

Tshepo

"IPv6 is not designed for scarcity."
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