The Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN) has emerged as Malawi’s leading Internet Service Provider (ISP) on the amount of Internet traffic using the new Internet Numbering system, Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6).  According to data from APNIC, the regional internet registry for Asia and Pacific,  MAREN contributes at least 60% seconded by SIMBANET and Airtel both at 12.05% then TNM at 5.39%

MAREN`s leading status comes after the network took proactive measures in the deployment of IPv6 for its customers by helping education institutions transition to the new protocol which comes with a virtually unlimited address space, improved security features, and enhanced efficiency in routing and network management

So far, MAREN has assisted at least five of its members, including the University of Malawi (UNIMA), Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Malawi College of Health Sciences (Zomba Campus), Salima Technical College and St. Lukes College transition to dual-stack allowing for both IPv4 and IPv6 functionality.

MAREN Network and Infrastructure Manager, Alexius Chipalamwazani expressed delight over the achievement which he described as an indication of MAREN´s commitment towards the digital transformation of research and education institutions in the country.

“MAREN is committed to assisting its members reap the benefits of IPv6 and assisting them in the transition process. We intend to grow this figure exponentially as our goal is to ensure that all our members that have the infrastructure that can support dual-stacking transition at least by end of this year,” said Chipalamwazani.

MAREN embarked on IPv6 deployment following concerns over the slow uptake of IPv6 in Africa with Malawi registering an IPv6 uptake of just 0.03%.