The New Internet, also known as Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), is a massive upgrade to the existing Internet (IPv4, in service since 1973) that offers major improvements in security, mobility and interoperability, which resulted in recent action by the OMB (Office of Management and Budget of the White House) that mandated this new standard for the entire Federal Government.
"During the 9/11 tragedy, many first responders died tragically -- New York firefighters were still being sent up the North Tower while a Police helicopter radioed that the South Tower was coming down," according to Matt Walton, Chairman of the Emergency Interoperability Consortium. "Five years later, almost nothing has changed -- first responders still cannot talk with one another, as was evidenced in the aftermath of Katrina. At the upcoming conference we will examine how the New Internet technology can finally enable them to not only talk with each other, but exchange vital data and video images."
In addition to several presentations on Emergency Response, the Summit will highlight other benefits that the US government expects from IPv6 -- including secure mobile communications for military and other units. The decision by the Federal Government to transition its IT (Information Technology) systems to this new standard will have profound future consequences for Industry -- the US Government awarded over $28 billion in IT procurements in the first quarter of 2006 alone.
"This important conference will be a unique opportunity to hear from world experts how IPv6 can be an essential part of the solution to major problems -- including response to a Katrina-type disaster, dealing with the identification and border security elements of the immigration reform issue, and helping our energy exploration and conservation efforts," said Alex Lightman, CEO of IPv6 Summit Inc. and Conference Chairman. "Visitors to this Summit will see how this new standard -- which has been mandated by our military and government -- will support solutions to a wide range of critical problems for our nation."
