IPv6 and AT&T Internet services

Every device on the internet has an IP (Internet Protocol) address. These unique addresses enable each device to engage with other devices on the internet.

IPv4 technology, the standard for many years, is limited to around 4 billion addresses. As such, it can’t sustain huge growth. So, IPv6 protocol was developed to replace IPv4 and provide nearly unlimited addresses. This will allow the internet to grow well into the future.

IPv4-based networks are expected to co-exist with IPv6-based networks for many years. In most cases, your devices and apps will use IPv6 without any extra action.

There are a few ways to manage the transition and extend the life of existing infrastructure:

• Dual Stack allows IPv4 and IPv6 to co-exist in the same devices and networks.
• Tunneling allows IPv6 packets to be sent over IPv4 infrastructure—and vice-versa.
• Translation allows IPv6-only devices to communicate with IPv4-only devices.

You’ll be happy to know the slow rollout of IPv6 over a period of years won’t impact your AT&T internet service. You’ll still be able to access your email, favorite websites, and other content as you do today for quite some time. You’ll only need to be ready when you attempt to access content that is available by IPv6 only.