New IP addresses for all
The new internet protocol (IPv6) will be in-place by 2011, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has said.
It warned businesses to stay current or lose out when others move to the new system.
Paul Twomey, ICANN chief executive, explained that many companies were compatible but needed to "wake up" and demand interoperability, ZDNet has reported.
"The users using the network will want to interact with other users. There are still implementation issues that people need to work through. Wake up and plan now," he said.
IP addresses are used to identify websites and members of the internet. Domain Name Systems help people find their way around, by replacing the list of IP numbers with names.
The Internet Services Providers’ Association said some ISPs had already put IPv6-compatible systems in place.
"We are aware of ISPs who have already deployed IPv6; it’s not strictly true that nothing is happening," said a spokesperson.
