France leads IPv6 adoption, preparing for 6G deployment

France has emerged as a leader in the transition to the IPv6 protocol, according to the 9th annual IPv6 transition barometer published by Arcep. The country currently boasts an IPv6 subscriber rate of 75.6%, positioning it well for future technological shifts.

The adoption of IPv6 is considered a critical pillar for the deployment of 6G mobile technology. While 6G is expected to be commercialized before the end of the decade, the 3GPP international standard-setting body is expected to approve the initial release focused on 6G by March 2027.

Industry leaders, including Qualcomm, suggest that 6G will integrate digital and physical worlds through contextual AI. Qualcomm anticipates that 6G chips could be available for pre-commercialization as early as 2028.