It has been more than a couple of decades since the Internet has shed its ‘geeky' tag. But if you are a tech-savvy student with a degree that spells business, a mind capable of innovation, a thirst for entrepreneurship and most importantly an Internet junkie tag, then you might just be able to put together the successful start-up of the millennium!
With the new avatar of Internet Protocol, the protocol or method by which data is transmitted from one computer to another on the Internet, IPv6 (version 6) coming into deployment, the time has never been better for start-ups initiated by a generation that is as familiar with business fundas as with the norms of cyberpace, believes Internet expert Olivier Crepin Leblond.
The Chair, at-large advisory committee of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Mr. Leblond interacted with would-be entrepreneurs at the Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM), Tiruchi, on ‘Permissionless innovations for business'.
He was positive that small start-ups would benefit the most from IPv6 which succeeds the existing IPv4, thanks to the importance accorded to user-generated content that is channelised directly from user to user.
“With IPv6, the Internet is bound to change the world of business as we know it. Developers would hold the key to success of IPv6 as the thrust is on developers of new applications, new services and new ways of making money.” The possibility of new business models and high vector of growth it promises are conducive to small start-ups. Those that can crack new business models or new ways of making money can chart fast growth like Facebook, Amazon, Youtube and Google that thrive on various business models. Embracing IPv6 and adapting to new technologies would soon be a requisite for expansion of online businesses.
Putting to rest a common apprehension that increasing IP address space would mean more traffic or reduced speed of transmission of data, Mr. Leblond said the new version was designed to overcome limitations of its predecessor. With the existing Internet protocol running out of space for addresses, there was the risk of users losing out on a unique address. With booming number of users and more devices per person being connected to the Internet, it was imperative to open up space to accommodate more users.
Ipv6 capitalising on end-user principle is being used to design earthquake warning systems, train tracking by individuals and manage power supply. It might lend solutions to movie and music industry that have incurred losses since the transition from analog to digital, he opined.
