New Internet Protocol (IP) addresses are on the verge of running out. John Curran, head of the American Registry of Internet Numbers (ARIN), now believes that this precious resource will run out in just four years' time.

Experts warn that the dwindling numbers of new IP addresses may drive up the price of internet access. The explosion of new internet users in China and India has contributed to the accelerating rise in IP usage.

Currently, IP addresses are in a format called IPv4, meaning that they are made up of four integers between 0 and 225. This allows for 4.3 billion addresses – not nearly enough to address the new Asian growth in internet use. IPv6 addresses, using six integers, are planned for the future in order to cater for the high demand.