Future Internet Domain Names

ICANN have indicated that new top level domain extensions will be introduced next year which will see the first new extension since 2000 for a general release domain.

All indications point towards ICANN consulting with the internet industry and general public to gain views on the development of any new domain extensions, including the process for creating, approving and adding a new web address.

ICANN’s CEO and president DR Paul Twomey said, "If the new approval process comes on-line as planned, the global Internet could see new top-level domains added and available between June and August 2008,"

2000 was the last time a domain for general use was released which including several new extensions including .info, .biz, and .pro. Since the year 2000 only area specific domains have been bought into use.

Currently there is around 120 million registered Domain Name of which 80 million are top level domains such as .com, with 62 million registrations.