China has officially launched its next generation Internet network, China Education and Research Network (CERNET2).
The announcement, from eight different departments of the Chinese Government, reveals it is the world's largest Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) network. It connects 25 universities together in about different 20 cities.
Compared with the current Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4), the new IPv6 is capable of allocating endless IP addresses, and features a transportation speed up to 1000 times faster than the current speed.
Wu Jianping, Director of the Expert Committee at CERNET2 said,
"We were a learner and follower in the development of the first generation Internet, but we have caught up with the world's leaders in the next-generation Internet, become a first mover, and won respect and attention from the international community."
The network is expected to spread to about 100 universities soon.