ICANN delays domain name revolution

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 18 Feb 2009 at 12:09

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has admitted plans to launch new generic top-level domains are running behind schedule.

Instead of being restricted to predefined TLDs such as .com or .co.uk, the new gTLDs will allow users to create any domain they wish within 64 characters. This means that instead of a customer having to register Stuartturton.com, they could simply register Stuart.Turton.

ICANN says the move is intended to "allow for more innovation, choice and change to the internet's addressing system", but the task has proved to be trickier than expected.

According to ICANN, it is currently investigating a number of technical and economic issues surrounding the introduction of gTLDs. These include determining whether there's enough space on the Domain Name Servers to handle the potential influx, the cost of registration and the potential market impact.

The latter has been flagged by a number of companies, which are worried that the ability to register almost any TLD could prove a boon for cybersquatters, who could simply snatch up the obvious domains such as .Microsoft.

The gTLDs were intended to launch on 30 September, but the body now says it's simply aiming for some time within 2009.