ICANN empowers underrepresented communities with new gTLD support

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the nonprofit organisation that coordinates the Domain Name System (DNS), has opened the Applicant Support Program (ASP) for the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) programme, themed Next Round.

Next Round is an initiative that will enable the introduction of new gTLDs (including those longer than three characters and in non-Latin scripts) into the Internet’s domain name space. It will be the first opportunity since 2012 to secure a gTLD, and the ASP makes it possible for lesser-resourced organizations to benefit from this transformation in their presence online.

Top-level domains are the part of an Internet address that comes after the dot. For example, in the domain name icann.org, the characters ‘org’ identify the TLD and help to classify the purpose of the domain name. The Internet started with just a handful of TLDs, such as .com, .net., .org and others. As it has evolved, the number of generic TLDs in the DNS has increased to reflect the multidimensionality of its billions of users and to help classify and communicate the purpose of a domain name.

ICANN appreciated that applying to operate a gTLD can be expensive and out of reach for many organisations, but noted that the ASP is intended to make the processes and fees involved in applying for a new gTLD more accessible to entities that may want to operate a gTLD but are unable because of financial and other resource constraints. Supported applicants will be eligible to receive access to pro bono service providers, training, and other resources, and a 75-85 per cent reduction in gTLD evaluation fees.

Vice President, ICANN, Africa, Pierre Dandjinou, said: “The New gTLD Program: Next Round will give businesses, communities and others the opportunity to apply for new top-level domains tailored to their community, culture, language, business, and customers. The programme reinforces ICANN’s commitment to encouraging innovation, competition, and consumer choice in the domain industry.

“The ASP supports that commitment by paving the way for more entrepreneurs, small businesses, governments, and communities around the world to apply to operate a generic top-level domain of their choosing.”

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must meet financial need and financial viability criteria, and fall into at least one of the following entity categories: nonprofits, charities, or equivalent, intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), indigenous/tribal peoples’ organizations, social impact or public benefit micro or small businesses and micro or small businesses from a less-developed economy.