THE NEXT GENERATION INTERNET - Several next-generation Internet networks are now being built in the United States, and the features of these new Internets may indicate the future direction of the Internet. The Internet2 is a private network 1,000 times faster than the World Wide Web, which aims to connect over 130 university and government research centers The congestion that affects the public Internet will not apply to the Internet2 because it is a private network. Several companies are working on separate next-generation Internet projects that will extend the Internet through wireless devices, such as handheld computers and smart phones. Over the next four to five years, Motorola and Cisco Systems plan to jointly invest over $1 billion in the development of a wireless Internet. In addition, Microsoft and British Telecom will work together to develop Internet services based on wireless devices using the Windows CE operating system. (Financial Times 04/07/99 - Edupage - Apr. 7)