The RIPE Network Coordination Centre (NCC), the Ministry of telecommunications in Lebanon and OGERO, the public operator, successfully held “Lebanon IPv6 Week” in Beirut, inaugurating the deployment of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) in Lebanon and supporting Internet stakeholders with the necessary technical expertise for this deployment. The IPv6 training activities and the national IPv6 meeting were held as part of the collaborative efforts of OGERO, the RIPE NCC and the American University of Beirut (AUB) to raise awareness about the importance of shifting to IPv6. Additionally, the meeting aims to support ISPs and telecom operators with the technical expertise to meet the growing demand for Internet services and to provide their customers with up to date services.
Imad Kreidieh, Chairman and CEO of OGERO declared at the ‘Lebanon IPv6 Meeting’ in Beirut that traffic over IPv6 was now open for ISPs and mobile operators and asserted that efforts were being made at all levels to ensure future readiness. OGERO is striving towards meeting Lebanon’s needs through collaboration with international organisations such as the RIPE NCC. He added that OGERO’s numerous efforts and activities include the deployment of fibre optic networks and IPv6 in order to stimulate the digital economy in Lebanon.
Chafic Chaya, Regional Communications Manager at RIPE NCC said in his opening address, “The RIPE NCC is enthusiastic about empowering the Lebanese Internet community, which comes within our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Telecommunication and OGERO. We applaud the encouraging progress achieved by Lebanon towards IPv6 deployment, and we renew our commitment towards supporting and helping our members and network operators in the country and the whole Arab region.” He also explained how this process is supported by expert trainings, and by providing ISPs with analytical and measurement tools such as RIPE Atlas and RIPEstat. RIPE NCC’s trainings, which are offered to companies through workshops and also online via the RIPE NCC Academy, address many technical topics, including Internet Protocol and technologies like IPv6.
The IPv6 meeting included OGERO’s presentation of Lebanon’s IPv6 strategy and roadmap in additional to two panel discussions with ISPs, network operators, law enforcement agencies, banks, academia and the technical community. The meeting focused on various key issues including adopting technologies and strategies required to keep pace with new standards and developments with regard to the IPv6 deployment, both regionally and internationally. Topics discussed included defining the fundamentals of IPv6, using the new protocol to strengthen network security and manageability, as well as meeting the rising demand for Internet access in the era of mass connectivity with the growth of not only mobile phone users but also the Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Cities.
The IPv6 training, which was held from July 2 to 4 at the American University of Beirut, equipped the Lebanese technical experts with the necessary tools for IPv6 deployment and increased their capabilities in dealing with the eventual transfer to the new system. The training forms part of the Memorandum of Understanding between RIPE NCC and AUB, which was signed last year to enhance the skills and capabilities for the development of Internet services in Lebanon and its neighbouring countries and deepen cooperation in this area.
The increasing demand for Internet services and the rapid growth of digital technology have been drivers for economic growth and entrepreneurship worldwide. The RIPE NCC has an active role in promoting sustainable development and driving economic growth by sharing experiences with network operators to help them cope with rapid shifts and prepare to meet future needs.