A screenshot of ICANN's new gTLDs website
(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Internet governing organization Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers announced on Thursday that exactly one week after it began accepting applications for new generic Top-Level Domains, the application system is functioning without a hitch.
“I can state firmly that one week into the process, the application system for the new domain names is functioning just as it should,” said Rod Beckstrom, CEO of ICANN. “This is a reflection of the careful planning, hard work and long hours our staff spent preparing for last week’s launch.”
ICANN began accepting applications for the new gTLDs at 12:01 a.m. UTC on January 19. The program will greatly expand the current 22 gTLDs to include almost any word or name.
The organization said that as of Thursday, there are 25 successful registrants in the online TLD Application System. But ICANN is quick to point out that the number does not necessarily represent the total number of applications since each registrant can apply for up to 50 new gTLDs.
The deadline to register in the TLD Application System is March 29, and if applicants are not registered in the system by then, they will be unable to apply.
In early May, about two weeks after the new gTLD application window closes, ICANN will publish a list of the applications and who has applied for which domain name.
Until then, ICANN said it will not comment publicly about any specific application, the total number of applications received, or who has submitted applications.
Initial processing of the applications is expected to be completed in mid-November and the first new gTLDs are expected to be online sometime in early 2013.
About Justin Lee
Justin Lee has been a staff analyst with theWHIR since 2004. He writes about a range of web hosting and IT-related issues facing the industry on the WHIR website, as well the print version of the WHIR magazine. Follow him on Twitter @Justin_theWHIR.
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