The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
(Icann) will launch an initiative for enabling generic top level
domains (gTLDs).
"Icann has now moved forward with a programme to introduce
further competition and choice in the top-level domain markets,"
said Paul Twomey, president and chief executive officer of Icann.
"We are opening up the process for which TLDs [top-level domains]
can be applied for."
In approving a two-stage approach, Icann, which oversees
technical issues related to the internet address system, is looking
to simplify the TLD application process. Icann's goal is to
implement a transparent process, Twomey added.
Most TLDs with three or more characters, such as .com or .net,
are referred to as gTLDs. Two-letter TLDs designate a specific
country and are called ccTLDs, or country-code TLDs.
Icann expected to have the applications process completed by 31
December 2004, after which time people will be able to apply for
gTLDs, Twomey said. The existing process has been criticised for
being too complicated and laborious. The latest process will also
be cheaper, according to Icann spokeswoman, Mary Hewitt.
Icann has also approved an expedited process for a round of new
sponsored generic top-level domains (sTLDs), which will result in
new sTLDs in 2004, Twomey said.
There are two subsets of gTLDs: sponsored (sTLD) and unsponsored
(uTLD). The sTLD serves specific communities, current examples
being .museum, .coop, and .aero, according to the Icann website.
Examples of uTLDs are .biz, .info, .name, and .pro.
"We will be using the early sTLD round to help us engage the
community in the process and to further evaluate the best manner to
achieve the appropriate balance between corporate and sponsor
control of TLDs and Icann’s role of management on behalf of the
Internet community," Twomey said.
Twomey addressed the controversy generated by VeriSign's
SiteFinder service, saying that he welcomed the suspension of the
service.
"The issue of the stewardship function of the internet has been
awakened in the sense that 'if this, then what else?'" he said.
The service had redirected users who mistyped an internet domain
name ending in .com or .net to a commercial site operated by
VeriSign.
The reaction to the SiteFinder service had similarities to a
major security event, Twomey said.
"It has been something of a seismic event and has generated a
more keen appreciation of stewardship. It will have implications in
the TLD issues we've been talking about."
Laura Rohde writes for IDG News Service