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Mythbusters #1: No one is using IPv6 [UPDATED]

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Hmm, let's bust this myth with a quick experiment.  You can all take part.  In order to be a valid test, you need to meet the following requirements:

1. You must have a cell phone/smartphone/PDA

2. You must use Sprint or Verizon Wireless as your carrier

3. Your phone must use Windows Mobile (either Smartphone or PDA edition)

4. You must have Internet access

Assuming you meet these requirements, open IE on your device and go to www.ipv6tools.com, then scroll to the bottom of the page.  You will see a line that says 'You are connected via...' and it should say IPv6 if you meet all the above requirements.

UPDATE: Some users have reported that ipv6tools.com is reporting that they are using IPv4 even thought they meet the above requirements. If this happens to you, try accessing the site using the ipv6.ipv6tools.com address, which will force the IPv6 connection, or alternatively you can go to www.kame.net and watch the turtle dance (the turtle is still on IPv4 connections) [Thanks Scott P. for first pointing this out!]

By the way, I am not sure how this works outside of the US. Feel free to leave comments letting me know your results either way!

Wow! IPv6, live and online! It turns out that Windows Mobile supports IPv6 and both Sprint and Verizon Wireless have enabled IPv6 connectivity (using something called 6to4, an IPv6 transition technology) And you were using it without even knowing about it!

I guess this myth is BUSTED. By the way, this is just one example, I have many others that I will be talking about later.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    You remember IPv6 - it was that thing that people didn't like in Vista and tried to turn it off?

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    There are many other sites that do something similar to show that you're connecting with IPv6. Check for example http://www.ipv6tf.org. In spanish you have http://www.6sos.org. Also the RIRs, such as http://www.ripe.net, http://www.apnic.net. When I use my GPRS/3G phone to connect my laptop to Internet, of course, I also get 6to4 working fine for me ! What we are missing is folks such as Microsoft itself, becoming fully IPv6 enabled in their own web sites :-) This will be really a good sign for many people that still believe in myths like the one that you introduced here !