China's available network addresses are expected to run out in about 830 days, due to the growing rate of demand for Internet connectivity, ChinaTechNews reported Wednesday.

IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) addresses are the standard for most networks in China. However, they are limited and 80 percent of the allocated IP addresses have already been taken, according to the ChinaTechNews article, posted by ZD Net Asia.

The IPv6 network will be used next, once all IPv4 address blocks are assigned to end-users, said Li Kai, international director of IP Business at China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), according to the Inquirer. However, the IPv6 addresses, developed in the United States, are used only for education sites in China, and network operators will have to spend time and money to update their systems for IPv6 usage, ChinaTechNews reported.

CNNIC has begun holding seminars to encourage operators to apply and prepare for a transition to IPv6.

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