ICANN approves .Tel
ICANN has approved the creation of the new .tel domain – the “Internet communication specific TLD“. The contract has been awarded to UK based Telnic.
From the Telnic website:
The .Tel domain will enable people to reach a business from any Internet enabled device (computer or mobile) simply by typing, for example, “Hertz.tel”. The user will then be able to connect directly to a Hertz representative or navigate through a list of services that Hertz may offer. Businesses can easily extend their brands into this new space and enhance the way customer inquiries are handled.
In addition, individuals can use the .Tel domain to publish and update their contact information directly in the DNS. These individuals will decide, in real-time, by what means their friends and colleagues will be able to reach them. This could include: VoIP, conventional telephony (fixed-line or wireless), email, SMS, Skype, AIM and many more.
How will people access the .Tel?
Customers of the .Tel sTLD will store their contact details in the delegated domain space in the form of NAPTR records, which can be accessed by client software tailored to use these. Telnic intends to release such open source client software for Windows, Macintosh and Mobile phones, whilst a web browser proxy service will be available for registrants who wish to use this, making minimal .Tel functionality available to anyone with a web browser.
Interesting, so this sTLD will need a special client or client plugin in order to use it? Reminds me a little of the first version of IDN (International Domain Names). Well now that we have gotten rid of the smut on the not (.XXX TLD was nixed), we can at least place phone calls.
I can see people initiating calls from their PC, and I guess instead of using a phone number or someone’s name in a their address book, they can then also use a domain to call them. I’ve got to think about this one a bit more before I decide if I like it or not. To .Tel or not to .Tel? What do you think?
[via vnunet.com]