The Hidden Inequality: Why IPv6 Adoption is a Social Justice Issue

When we talk about the "Digital Divide," we usually talk about physical things: cables, satellites, or the price of a smartphone.

But there is a deeper, invisible divide happening in the very code of the internet. While the "Global North" moves into a future of unlimited connectivity, much of the "Global South" is being left behind on a congested, legacy system.

This isn't just a technical glitch—it is a social justice issue.

The "Two-Tier" Internet: Rich vs. Poor Protocols

To understand the inequality, you have to understand the address system of the web.

The old system, IPv4, only has about 4.3 billion addresses. In the 1980s, that seemed like plenty. Today, with billions of people and billions more devices (IoT), those addresses have completely run out.

Because they are scarce, they have become expensive. Large tech giants in wealthy nations bought up the majority of these addresses years ago. Smaller ISPs in developing nations are now forced to pay "premium" prices just to get their citizens online.

"The internet is splitting into two tiers: a modern, open highway for the wealthy (IPv6) and a crowded, expensive backroad for everyone else (IPv4)."

The "Village Phone" Problem (CGNAT)

To an outsider, the world of Internet Governance looks impenetrable. It is a maze of acronyms, institutions, and complex legal frameworks. This complexity acts like a "keep out" sign.

Newcomers, especially those from regions that haven’t historically had a seat at the table, face massive barriers. When they do try to engage, they often find the debate is already over before they’ve even spoken.

The result? A dangerous echo chamber.

Policies get designed based on the experiences of the hyper-connected elite. A policymaker in a major capital might write rules assuming everyone has reliable 5G and stable electricity—assumptions that are laughable to a user in a rural village facing daily blackouts.

When decision-makers lack knowledge of the reality on the ground, the regulations they create don't just fail; they often make things worse.

How CGNAT Stifles Innovation:

• No Home Hosting: You cannot easily host your own website or server.

• Blocked Services: Many global security systems block shared IPs because they look suspicious.

• Latency: It adds a "bottleneck" that makes real-time tools like remote education and telehealth lag.

Why This is a Human Rights Issue

If a student in a developing nation cannot access the same level of connectivity as a student in a wealthy nation, they are at a permanent disadvantage.

1. Economic Exclusion: As the world moves to 5G and the "Internet of Things" (which require IPv6), regions stuck on IPv4 will be locked out of the next industrial revolution.

2. Privacy and Security: IPv6 has better security built into its DNA. Leaving vulnerable populations on legacy IPv4 makes them easier targets for cyberattacks and surveillance.

3. Digital Sovereignty: Nations that don't own their own modern IP infrastructure are "digital tenants" to foreign providers.

Closing the Gap Through Governance

The market alone will not fix this. Many legacy providers are happy to keep charging high prices for old technology.

True change requires policy and education. We need a new generation of leaders who understand that "IPv6" isn't just an IT setting—it is a national infrastructure priority.

This is where the Larus Foundation plays a critical role. By providing education and training through initiatives like the Larus Fellowship, they empower leaders from underrepresented regions to advocate for the technical upgrades their communities deserve.

To build a fair internet, we have to ensure that every person has a unique voice and a unique address on the web.

FAQs

1: What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 is the legacy addressing system that only allows for 4.3 billion addresses, which have now run out. IPv6 is the modern replacement that allows for 340 undecillion addresses (effectively infinite), providing more speed, security, and direct connectivity for devices.

2: Why is IPv6 adoption slow in developing countries?

Upgrading to IPv6 requires investment in new hardware and staff training. Many smaller ISPs and governments in developing regions lack the capital or the policy framework to prioritize this upgrade, leading to a reliance on "workarounds" like CGNAT

3: What is the "Digital Governance Gap"

This is the disconnect between those who use the internet and those who write its rules. The Larus Foundation focuses on closing this gap by training people from the Global South to participate in global internet policy discussions.

How does IPv6 help with digital inclusion? IPv6 removes the "scarcity" of the internet. It allows for a more affordable, direct, and secure connection, ensuring that users in any part of the world can be creators and innovators, not just passive consumers behind a shared IP address.