CISCO Systems Inc is in talks with Shanghai government to establish a wireless broadband network in the downtown for World Expo 2010 under a project called "mega city," the US-based networking equipment provider said yesterday.

Cisco has invested US$155 million in China on research and development and will continue to pump in funds for projects, including the expansion of its Shanghai-based R&D center, according to Charles Giancarlo, Cisco executive vice president and chief development officer.

"Our vision of mega city is a wireless (connected) and green city, and we will construct the network's infrastructure for the project," said Giancarlo, who met with Shanghai Vice Mayor Yang Xiong to discuss topics, including the World Expo.

The mega-city network would support high-definition video transfer and would connect government-authorized networks in areas such as traffic control, security monitoring and environmental regulation, according to Giancarlo, who did not provide details.

Six cities in China are developing wireless network projects. Among them, Beijing is constructing a wireless network using Wi-Fi and WiMax technologies for next year's Olympic Games. Shanghai is testing a wireless network in Jiading District, where Formula One races are held.

Cisco prefers to use WiMax - worldwide interoperability for microwave access - in its wireless networks. WiMax is an evolution of Wi-Fi and provides wider coverage and higher speeds, Giancarlo said.