Understanding the New‑Quality Internet (Net5.5G): Concepts, Scenarios, and Technologies

In recent years the AI wave has far exceeded expectations, reshaping production, daily life and even thinking, and prompting a profound transformation of the Internet.

The 2024 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen emphasized the new relationship among people, AI and networks, and a parallel event – the 2nd Network Innovation Development Conference – introduced the term “new‑quality Internet”.

According to Chinese Academy of Engineering academician Wu Hequan, the new‑quality Internet is a network designed to serve and support “new‑quality productive forces”, meeting the demands of AI‑driven business and scenario challenges.

The first development stage of this network is called Net5.5G, built on an IPv6/IPv6+ technology stack with enhanced performance, reliability and security to satisfy AI‑era requirements.

The article outlines four “link” scenarios (the “four‑link”):

“Link‑Compute” (联算) – connecting intelligent compute resources, including intra‑cluster, inter‑cluster and data‑to‑compute links.

“Link‑Intelligence” (联智) – connecting AI terminals such as smart assistants and embodied robots, driving massive bandwidth growth.

“Link‑Data” (联数) – ensuring secure, reliable data flow and governance.

“Link‑Space” (联空) – extending connectivity to low‑altitude, aerial and satellite domains.

Each scenario presents specific technical challenges, such as ultra‑high bandwidth for compute clusters, zero‑loss long‑distance transmission, massive data transfer without costly dedicated lines, and reliable satellite communications in harsh space environments.

To address these challenges, the industry proposes four “new” technologies (the “four‑new”):

Ultra‑wide new connectivity – boosting bandwidth through optical interconnects and next‑generation Ethernet.

IPv6+ extensions – leveraging IPv6 address space, programmable headers, SRv6 and other advanced features for efficient routing and QoS.

Network intelligence – embedding AI models in devices and the core network, using digital twins and generative large models to create a self‑optimizing “network brain”.

New security mechanisms – end‑to‑end trust, device‑native security, cloud‑edge‑edge integration and data‑centric trust to counter evolving attacks.

Since its introduction, Net5.5G has received strong support from operators, equipment vendors and industry groups, culminating in the launch of the “Net5.5G Global Pioneer Program” at the conference, aiming to accelerate commercial deployment over the next 3‑5 years.

The article concludes that as AI continues to drive new‑quality productive forces, the new‑quality Internet will become a foundational digital infrastructure, empowering the digital economy, government and society in the emerging AI era.