Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 4, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
At the 34th international meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in Mexico from March 1 to 6, the German internet-industry association eco e.V. emphasised the importance of introducing new top-level domains such as .berlin or .hamburg for Germany’s internet economy. The association is therefore calling on the internet’s international self-governing organisation to conclude its consultations and open the application round for the new top-level domains this year.
Harald A. Summa, Managing Director of eco, said: “Once again, the internet is an engine of innovation that can help the economy grow even during the crisis. The new top-level domains create orientation for internet users, support the introduction of new services for special communities and give companies new opportunities to be found quickly by their customers. There is no cheaper way to stimulate the economy. Companies now need planning certainty that they will be able to apply for the new top-level domains this year. We have therefore also asked ICANN to examine whether changes to the current plans are expected and called on the organisation to bring the planning process to a final conclusion. The starting signal for innovation should not be delayed unnecessarily.”
Dirk Krischenowski, Managing Director of dotBERLIN, again pressed in Mexico for rapid implementation of the new namespaces approved by the ICANN board in June 2008, while once more emphasising the cost issue, particularly for applications from cities and regions: “Lower costs for top-level domains for cities and regions would help municipalities and regions use the advantages of the domain-name system and contribute to its meaningful further development.”
