by Christine Willett | 21 October 2013
The time has come! Today, the first four domains from ICANN's New Generic Top-Level Domains Program were cleared to proceed to delegation. This marks the start of a measured roll out of new gTLDs, which are designed to expand opportunities for businesses, communities and Internet users around the world.
These first new gTLDs, or strings, are:
- شبكة (xn--ngbc5azd) – the Arabic word for "Web" or "Network"
Registry : International Domain Registry Pty. Ltd. - онлайн (xn--80asehdb) – Russian for "Online"
Registry: Core Association - сайт (xn--80aswg) – Russian for "Web site"
Registry: Core Association - 游戏 (xn--unup4y) – Chinese for "Game"
Registry: Spring Fields, LLC
You'll note that all four of these new strings are Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). IDNs are currently available as Second-Level Domains and country code Top-Level Domains, but this will be the first time non-Latin characters can be used in a generic TLD. Building on the addition of Internationalized country-code TLDs in 2010, the move is an effort to create a more inclusive Internet.
The Registries that will operate these IDN gTLDs successfully completed a rigorous application process designed to protect the stability of the Domain Name System while introducing new gTLDs into the Internet. Only applicants that can meet the requirements outlined in the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook will be given an opportunity to operate a gTLD. The application process includes the following phases or elements:
- Evaluation
- Resolution of Holds:
- Objections
- String Contention
- Contracting
- Pre-Delegation Testing
We congratulate International Domain Registry Pty. Ltd, Core Association and Spring Fields, LLC on their success in the New gTLD Program, and look forward to working with these and many other new Registries in the future.