Even if the majority of users do not notice any difference in the future, recently major Internet players have tested how the new version of IP protocols – IPv6 -works. Basically, the IPv6 will create an almost unlimited number of IP addresses. The protocol used nowadays allows the creation of up to 4.3 billion IP addresses, number that it is almost reached, therefore Internet providers must invest in both hardware and software to move to IPv6. However, there isn’t a deadline for this and the current protocol is expected to be used by the end of the decade.

Google, Facebook, Yahoo, YouTube and Meebo are some large companies that have tested the new protocol on 8^th of June. World IPv6 Day event aimed to figure out how the new protocol will work in the future, but this change will take place gradually in the coming years.

In the beginning of the Internet it was believed that 4.3 billion IP addresses will be more than enough and that there will not be needed more. However, with its development (which is nowadays used across multiple devices) there is a need to supplement the number of available IP addresses and it seems that IPv6 is the solution.

Operating systems already support the protocol version 6, but for this transition Internet providers must invest in software and hardware equipment, such as, in rare cases, routers. The problems posed by migration relate to the special configuration for the new protocol and the coexistence of the two protocols.

There are voices saying that the market transition to IPv6 is complex in terms of software implementation, testing and maintenance. However, since there is no deadline, companies will be able to adapt to these changes in time.

Migrating to IPv6 is not a matter of urgency and will not happen overnight. The Internet will continue to work, but its growth will be much slower if the transition will be prolonged more.

So according to a survey, 75% of us in the UK believe that internet access is a fundamental right – yet many small businesses claim they are still troubled by speed and reliability problems on-line. Now some of these small business owners are campaigning for better broadband service.

The Federation of Small Businesses has received complaints from members about difficulties accessing email and/or websites, slow connections and being cut off from the internet. In fact, almost a quarter of respondents to a survey said they were “dissatisfied with their broadband service”. While “another 30 per cent said the area they live in has an unreliable broadband connection”.

Now the FSB is calling for the government to make sure ISPs guarantee a connection speed of at least 8 Mb/s.  Let’s hope the campaign makes a difference.

The internet does a lot of things really well, especially if you’re a business:

• It’s a great way to get your brand out there for everyone to see.
• It enables a wide range of communication with potential clients and customers without being limited to location.
• It enables working from home, remotely and at any time of the day or night.
• It allows for marketing on a tight budget and with a huge reach.

Further for e-trailers in particular the internet offers opportunities to:

• List and describe an limitless number of products
• Process orders and take requests 24/7
• Provide secure payment gateways
• Gather info about customers through surveys
• Catalogue buying behaviour
• Target people.

And then there’s the power of self-serve, FAQs, on-line help desks and forums.
Tell us how the internet is transforming your business.