The European Commission has called on member states to do more to propagate uptake of IPv6 in the EU. The need for widespread adoption of the latest version of the internet protocol is essential before 2005 when existing IPv4 addressing is expected to run out of space, the EC said in its latest Communication: "IPv6 Priorities for Action".

The EC said it is satisfied that European research and development is staying abreast of IP issues, but said that this technological commitment now needs to be matched by the political will to raise awareness of IPv6 issues, and to drive creation and adoption of standards based on IPv6.

The diminishing capacity of IPv4's address structure is a global concern, but the Europeans are particularly concerned by the problem, since it holds the potential to cramp development of wireless device development and 3G telephony. These are areas where the EC believes the EU has a leadership position that could be threatened if anything is allowed to slow the momentum behind mobile technology and service roll-out.

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