IPv6 - A Very Large Number Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), also known as the "next-generation Internet," is extremely important to the future of online communications. The protocol will eventually replace the current IPv4, in part because it enables an exponentially greater number of IP addresses. Everything online requires an IP address to connect to the Internet. IPv4 offers a maximum of 4.2 billion unique addresses, which seemed more than adequate when the protocol was introduced. Due to the rapid growth of the Internet as a meeting place and marketplace, however, still-available addresses have become very difficult to obtain. This problem is especially acute in Asia, which has a distinct shortage of addresses compared with North America and Europe. In contrast with the 32-bit IPv4, the number of addresses possible with the 128-bit IPv6 is a staggering 2128, or a 39-digit number! This almost unimaginably-large capacity means that IPv6 offers enough addresses not only for all IP-based machines, as well as personal digital assistants, cell phones and IP phones, but also all online appliances anticipated in the future. NTT Communications, which is at the forefront of the effort to develop IPv6, recently won the prestigious World Communications Award (WCA) for Best Technology Foresight in recognition of its leadership in promoting IPv6.