User:Christian van 't Hof

Omninnet is the network which has the potential to connect all communication networks on earth. The term describes the next phase of the internet, in which this network will converge with ambient intelligence technologies such as RFID (radio frequency identification), NFC (Near Field Communication) and other network technologies such as GPS, GSM, Wifi into one network.

Internet was already considdered to be "the network of networks", connecting different communication channels into one. Still, the resulting cyberspace was perceived as an alterative world next to the physical world where people could go to and enter through their desktop computers.

Meanwhile, the physical environment is increasingly made intelligent through all sorts of digital systems that provide users with means of access, security, service and payments. This development is described by the International Telecommunications Union as "The Internet of things". The ITU also claims these systems are currently converging. For example, mobile phones for micro payments, combining GSM and NFC into one device. Or GPS navigation systems in cars that can also be used to charge for road tax.

Omninet brings these two developments together, suggesting "everything will become internet". The main barriers which keep the network currently distributed are technological, organisational and legal.

Key to overcoming technological barriers is the implementation of IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6. The current IPv4 is limited in the number of addresses that can be attributed to computers connected to the internet, while IPv6 offers a practically endless number of addresses, which can principally be used to give any person and object on earth a unique number.

The term Omninet is first stated in april 2007 by Christian van 't Hof of the Rathenau Institute in the Netherland. www.rathenau.nl