TITLE:
What Stands in the Way of Bigger Internet with Virtually Unlimited IP Address in Cameroon: A Study of IPv6 Stakeholders in Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Austin Oguejiofor Amaechi, Kongnso Emmanuel Shinyuy
KEYWORDS:
IPv4, IPv6, Internet, Barriers, Facilitators, Technology Management, Cameroon, Thematic Analysis
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Computer and Communications,
Vol.9 No.11,
November
8,
2021
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this case study paper was to identify factors that Internet Protocol stakeholders consider as standing in the way of the transition to bigger, more secure and faster internet with virtually unlimited Internet Protocol address in Cameroon and was completed in two phases. Descriptive method was followed and two study instruments were designed and implemented, namely focus group interviews and questionnaire interviews. Both instruments were validated and implemented on a sample of (6) experts for the interviews and (115) for the questionnaire. The focus group data were analyzed using a thematic analysis technique, leading to the identification of six themes including lack of policies and incentives to promote IPv6 deployment at government level, many organizations are seeing IPv6 as an issue that will only affect them in the distant future and not looking at IPv6 technology as an innovation generation opportunity. Decisions on these issues need to change if IPv6 current status in Cameroon is to change. The findings were then validated in the final phase. This involved the deployment of a survey questionnaire to collect opinions of 115 IPv6 actors working in both public and private institutions in Cameroon. The results revealed that IPv6 was not sufficiently attended to by organizations in Cameroon. The study results may be of practical use for Government IT decision makers. A further and more comprehensive research into the topic is recommended.