Get ready for a flurry of new top-level Internet domain names in 2008.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the international body responsible for allocating generic and country code top-level domain names--gTLDs and ccTLDs respectively--is asking for public input on developing a new domain name system.
The organization expects the new process which is being driven by its Generic Names Supporting Organization to be finalized by the end of the year, with applications for new domain names to be invited in early 2008.
Paul Twomey, president and CEO of ICANN, expects new top-level domain names to start emerging next year, between June and August.
The first introduction of new gTLDs came in 2000, with the most recent gTLDs emerging in 2005/06, including dot-mobi and dot-jobs.
According to Icann there are 120 million domain names with around 80 million of those using gTLDs. The most common gTLD is dot-com, which can be found attached to 62 million domain names.
Tim Ferguson of Silicon.com reported from London.
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