Monday, September 25 2006 12:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: China has developed the next generation Internet technology, which could offer faster, more secure access and high capacity networks, possibly ending US-led domination.

An expert panel composed of top scientists and researchers, entrusted by the National Development and Research Commission (NDRC), has okayed an academic network called CERNET2 (China Education and Research Network 2), which connects 25 universities in 20 cities across the vast country, the state media reported Monday.

CERNET2 is at the forefront of the development of the "China next generation Internet" (CNGI), the world's largest single Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) network, 'China Daily' reported.

IPv6 exponentially increases the number of possible Internet protocol (IP) addresses available for connecting PCs and other devices to the Internet.

Under the current IPv4 system controlled by the United States, there are mounting fears that the Internet address pool could run dry, especially in Asia, as more and more people connect to the Internet, the state-run newspaper said.

The new technologies that will support the IPv6 system will also offer consumers faster and more secure access, Chinese experts said.

Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and vice-director of the expert panel, Wu Hequan said the certification shows China is ahead of the game in building the next generation of the Internet.