With the approval of this plan, the aim is to foster the development of the Information Society and the deployment of new services, and to promote technological innovation, positioning Spain prominently in the evolution of the Internet and the knowledge society.
The plan will disseminate educational information about the new Internet protocol, develop training initiatives, and encourage stakeholders to make the necessary technological changes for the effective implementation of IPv6.

IP Protocols and Their Evolution:
IP (Internet Protocol) addresses constitute the identification system that allows different devices connected to the Internet to communicate with each other. On the Internet, they play a role analogous to a telephone number in traditional telephone service, enabling the exchange of information between two or more points on the network.
In the case of the Internet, addressing resources are not planned by public administrations; instead, the non-profit corporation ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is responsible for assigning addresses.

Since 1981, the so-called IP version 4 (IPv4) protocol has been used, offering approximately 4.295 billion internet addresses globally. Initially, it was thought that this number of addresses would be sufficient to cover all future needs.
However, those initial projections proved clearly insufficient due to the enormous success of the internet. In fact, in February of this year, ICANN fully allocated the global IPv4 address repository, and it is expected that the full allocation of available IPv4 addresses in Europe will also take place throughout the year.
Given the rapid global expansion of the internet, in 1998 the next version of the internet protocol, version 6 or IPv6, was developed. This allows for the allocation of 340 sextillion unique internet addresses, a virtually unlimited number, increasing the length of the IP address from 32 to 128 bits.

The IPv6 Protocol: A Global Technological Shift.
The introduction of the new IPv6 protocol to the Internet, and consequently the availability of a much larger number of IP addresses in a new format, constitutes a significant technological evolution of global scope, affecting all countries.
This new addressing space is sufficient for the substantial demand for services such as the so-called Internet of Things, in which a multitude of devices will be identified, managed, and communicate using the IPv6 protocol.
Furthermore, the IPv6 protocol introduces new functionalities and improvements to the networks and services that make up the Internet in areas such as security, stability, quality of service, network processing simplicity, mobility, and network management.

Ultimately, the IPv6 protocol will eliminate the current limitations on addressing devices on the Internet and incorporate improvements that will enable the development of new services, further driving the adoption of the Information Society in general, and e-Government in particular.

The implementation of the IPv6 protocol:
The practical implementation of the new IPv6 protocol is taking place in technical coexistence with the IPv4 protocol, which will remain active for several years. The adoption of appropriate technical transition mechanisms by operators and service providers allows users to continue enjoying normal and uninterrupted internet access. The implementation of the new IPv6 protocol involves a multitude of stakeholders worldwide who must act to ensure the process is successful. Internet service and content providers, communications equipment manufacturers, software application providers, and internet access providers will need to adapt their services to the IPv6 protocol.

Plan Content:
The measures included in the plan approved today are as follows:
1. Implementation of the IPv6 protocol in the internet services of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade and in the 060 portal.
2. Launch of an internet portal about the IPv6 protocol (www.ipv6.es), which will contain explanatory and educational information. Likewise, the Electronic Administration Portal of the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Public Administration (www.administracionelectronica.gob.es) will offer information on the process of incorporating IPv6 in Public Administrations.
3. Organization of free theoretical and practical workshops on IPv6 technical aspects throughout the country. Within the framework of the Avanza Plan, funding is available for training projects to develop ICT professionals in SMEs on IPv6.
4. Promotion of public-private collaboration in the dissemination and training of IPv6.
5. Within the framework of the Avanza Plan, funding is available for projects developed by the private sector aimed at incorporating IPv6 into networks and services.
6. The Ministry of Industry will ensure the full operation of the IPv6 protocol in the domain name system under the territorial identifier “.es”.
7. Creation of a Working Group for the adoption of the IPv6 protocol, which will contribute to coordinating actions for monitoring the evolution of IPv6 in Spain.
8. Promotion of the adoption of the IPv6 protocol in public administrations through the collegiate bodies responsible for e-government.
9. Promotion of the adoption of IPv6 as a requirement in public procurement of information and communication technology products and services.
10. Monitoring and coordination in relation to European and international events on the adoption of IPv6.