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[♪music♪]
Anytime you access the Internet,
it has a special way
of identifying the device you're using.
Your device is recognized by its Internet Protocol address,
or IP address.
This is a unique identifier
assigned to every Web-connected device,
enabling those devices to communicate with each other.
Think about it: every connected device has a unique IP address.
This is true whether you're using a computer,
tablet, smartphone, or a device belonging to what's called
the Internet of Things.
The Internet of Things includes all of the
Internet-connected technologies around us,
including everything from the thermostat in your home
and even shipping containers and automobiles.
And the list is always growing.
With more and more devices accessing the Internet,
the need arises for more and more IP addresses.
Think of an IP address
like a mailing address for your Internet-connected device.
The address indicates where the information originates,
the destination, and the route between the two.
Just like a mailing address is unique,
no two Internet connections can have the same IP address.
Most current IP addresses use a format called IPv4,
which has been around since 1981.
IPv4 can only support about 4.2 billion IP addresses.
And the world is running out of IPv4 addresses,
in part because of the huge,
ongoing boom in the Internet of Things.
There are several billions of devices connected today
and this number is expected to keep growing.
All those new devices will need their own unique IP address,
which can be accommodated by a new version called IPv6--
the successor to IPv4.
IPv6 supports approximately 340 undecillion IP addresses.
That's 340, followed by 36 zeros.
That's more than all the grains of sand
on all the beaches on earth,
allowing for a virtually unlimited amount of devices
to be connected to the Internet.
AT&T has been deploying IPv6 capabilities
throughout our network for years.
In fact, we started rolling out gateways and modems
that support IPv6 in 2011.
As IP addressing evolves,
you won't notice a difference in the way you access the Internet.
IPv6 will simply allow you to reach more content,
more people,
and use more devices,
while allowing the content and devices you access
to continue to grow.
AT&T has information about IPv6 at att.com/ipv6.
There, you can test IPv6 readiness,
and even check your favorite websites
to see if they're using IPv4, IPv6,
or both types of addresses.
The website also guides you through any steps you can take
to become IPv6 enabled.
As a world leader in supporting IPv6 technology,
our number one priority is ensuring that customers
have a great experience when they use our services.
We've got you covered.
Thanks for choosing AT&T.
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