The Cable Show 2011 Will Shine a Spotlight on IPv6 Transition to the Next Generation of Internet Addresses

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The critical global transition to new Internet Protocol (IP) addresses will form the basis for a summit at The Cable Show 2011, the 60th annual convention and international exposition of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), June 14-16, 2011, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

The Cable Show Summit on Internet Protocol version 6 ("IPv6 Summit") provides an opportunity for cable operator and programmer executives, senior managers, technologists and other experts to learn more about the transition and collaborate on solutions and strategies.  

When the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) – the coordinating body that manages the world-wide distribution of IP addresses – announced earlier this year that it had run out of IPv4 addresses under the current system of releasing them for public use, consumers wondered whether their treasured Internet communications might be hindered. Thanks, however, to years of preparation and planning among cable engineers and other Internet and technical executives, the cable industry is well positioned for the IPv6 transition.  Achieving a smooth transition, however, to a new platform for Internet addresses – possibly as soon as late 2011 – in today's world of anywhere/anytime digital communication poses immense challenges for network, infrastructure, and Internet "edge" providers.  Success depends on collaboration among a wide variety of participants in the "Internet ecosystem," including cable system operators, cable programmers, other ISPs, content and web providers, consumer equipment manufacturers, consumer retailers, and Internet users.  

"There are many moving pieces in the IPv6 transition, and inter-industry cooperation is essential for a seamless transition and smooth sailing from the consumer's point of view," noted John Brzozowski, Chief Architect for IPv6 and Distinguished Engineer, Comcast, a co-chair of the industry committee planning the summit.  

Lee Howard, Director of Network Technology at Time Warner Cable and the other co-chair, comments, "The Cable Show in June is the perfect time to bring together many of the stakeholders in the transition.  We strongly encourage any executive who has a key role in the Internet ecosystem – in cable, consumer electronics, or content – to take advantage of this opportunity, and to come to Chicago to consult with colleagues on successful completion of this critical transition."  

The IPv6 Summit will feature several panels concentrating on various elements of the transition as well as opportunities to compare notes, both formally and informally, on transition challenges and solutions.  Show organizers also expect that other interested parties from beyond the cable industry will attend and participate, giving way to inter-industry consultation on the transition.

The IPv6 Summit is included with a full conference registration to The Cable Show 2011 (summit sign-up is required).  Specially discounted summit-only passes are also available and include the summit, the Tuesday General Session and a Tuesday-only exhibit floor pass. Information about registration for The Cable Show 2011 can be found at http://2011.thecableshow.com/Attending/Registration.  Early Bird discount registration for three-day passes to the show is available until April 15.  

Additional, up-to-the-minute information for The Cable Show is available via the official website (www.thecableshow.com) or from NCTA's Department of Industry Affairs, at 202/222-2430.

NCTA is the principal trade association for the U.S. cable industry, representing cable operators serving more than 90 percent of the nation's cable television households and more than 200 cable program networks. The cable industry is the nation's largest broadband provider of high-speed Internet access, serving more than 43 million customers, after investing more than $170 billion to build two-way interactive networks with fiber optic technology. Cable companies also provide state-of-the-art digital telephone service to more than 23 million American consumers.

SOURCE The Cable Show 2011