Are you connected to the real Internet?
What does that mean?
People who are connected only to the historical Internet, among other things:
- cannot access a growing number of websites which are accessible only within the real Internet. Read more at website Shutting Down (note: this website is only accessible within the real Internet);
- might be banned from some services or be harassed by Google ReCaptcha if some other user of the same ISP conducts invasive activities*;
- might have problems using internet telephony services*;
- cannot connect to their own computer from elsewhere*;
- cannot use various P2P applications and networks to the full extent*;
- cannot play games over the Internet without a server*;
- cannot make their computer accessible as a server*.
*) It is often possible to some extent to use a usually expensive surcharge service of “dedicated public address”, which is a way historical Internet service providers like to make money on the fact that they provide their customers with an inferior service. Still, this does not fully solve the mentioned problems.
What can you do if you don’t have connectivity to the real Internet?
First of all, you should contact your ISP. It is possible that they provide connectivity to the real Internet and it’s just that it isn’t set up properly on your end.
If that isn’t the case, you can join forces with your neighbours and other customers of the same provider and try jointly demanding fully fledged connectivity. Many ISPs often argue that their customers do not demand connectivity to the real Internet. If you settle for an inferior service, you won’t get better.
Another option is to look for another ISP who provides connectivity to the real Internet (for Czech Republic, a database exists).
Help us spread the word
Raising awareness is the first step for things to change for the better. Aside from directly sharing a link to this website, you can also print and post this informational leaflet on a noticeboard in your apartment house or town, on fridge at work, etc.:
Do you have a website, e-shop, etc.?
Test your website, whether it doesn’t happen to be accessible only within the bubble of the historical Internet.
Technical explanation
The “historical Internet” is that part of the Internet, which is able to communicate only with a deprecated protocol IPv4. In contrast, the “real Internet” already uses protocol IPv6.
Technically, it is similar to digital TV broadcast. Couple of times, the old transmitters have shut down and viewers could watch TV only with moderner transmissive technologies.
On the Internet, it is similar, only we don’t say “analogue broadcasting technology” or “DVB-T” but “IPv4” (the base internet communication protocol) and the Internet doesn’t switch to “DVB-T2” but to “IPv6”. And because the Internet is global, coordination of “shutting down old transmitters” is not doable even on national level. Therefore, IPv4 and IPv6 has coexisted next to each other for over 10 years already.
However, just like with analogue television broadcast, also IPv4 ran out of space for new “stations”. There are only few free “drops” in the address pool and these are auctioned for substantial amounts, because elsewhere, there aren’t any left. Today’s moment has really been just a matter of time. “Internet service providers (ISPs)” who have so far counted on the fact that all their customers wanted from the Internet was accessible also within the historical Internet undoubtedly provide an inferior service today.
Contact
You may write to Michal Zima at zima@skutecnyinternet.cz.