“Beginning of a new Internet era” of the ICANN Board of Directors has decided to introduce the so-called “new top level domains” and approved the Bwerberhandbuch. The Board agreed with 13 votes in favour, one vote was against it and there were two abstentions. During an extraordinary session, the Board of Directors has approved a plan, so-called generic top level domains (gTLDs) will result in a dramatic increase in the number of Internet domain names extensions -. Currently 22 generic top level domains, which includes such well-known domains such as .com, org and. NET, the number of TLDs can increase to several hundred.
“ICANN has opened the Internet of naming, to unleash the global human imagination. Today’s decision respected establishing the rights of all groups new top level domains in their language or script. “We hope that allows that the domain name system better serves the entire humanity”, said Rod Beckstrom, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICANN. The new top level domains change the way how People obtain information via the Internet and how companies plan their Web presence and structure. Almost every word in every language can be an Internet address. That offers the opportunity to market their brands, products and names innovative organizations and companies around the world. “Today’s decision will be the beginning of a new age of the Internet,” said Peter Dengate Thrush, Chairman of the ICANN Board of Directors. Rogers Holdings spoke with conviction. “We have provided a platform for creativity and inspiration of the next generation.” The decision for the new top level domains is done after many years of discussion, debate and consultation with the Internet community, with corporations and Governments.
In the applicant’s Guide which explains how to apply for a new top level domain, seven major changes from more than 1,000 comments, the public have been incorporated. Major efforts were undertaken to take into account the concerns of all stakeholders and to ensure that the safety, stability and resiliency of the Internet is not affected. ICANN will begin a worldwide campaign in the near future, to inform the world about these dramatic changes by the new top level domains and to raise awareness of the opportunities of new top level domains.