News Item

Launch of new Top Level Domain “.Tel”

27 November 2008

On 3rd December 2008, a new top level domain name is to be launched.  Unlike existing top level domains such as .com and .net, the .tel domain will allow businesses to maintain an online presence without the need to develop and maintain a website.

A different type of web presence

The idea behind the .tel domain is to allow businesses to have a dedicated area of the web specifically to host their contact details.  Potential customers will be able to quickly navigate through the site in order to get the contact information they require - be it telephone numbers, email addresses or links through to businesses’ websites.

Simple to use

The “.tel” domain will be simple and cheap to use and is designed with Internet enabled devices, like blackberries and mobile phones, in mind.  When searching for a business on a mobile, the contact information will be sent to the device with “hotlinks” so that clicking on the number will make a call.

From a maintenance point of view, the “.tel” domain is designed so that companies need only fill in a form with their contact details and hit save.  Appropriate privacy protocols will be in place so that contact information can be kept from, for example, unknown web users.

“Sunrise” and “land rush” periods

There will be a “sunrise period” from 3 December 2008 until 2 February 2009 for current trade mark owners to apply on a “first come first served” basis for “.tel” domain names.  After this period there will be a “land rush” period to 23 March during which the price of applications will be increased in order to dissuade applications being made solely to then sell them on for a profit at a later date.  After 24 March, applications at the normal price will be openly available.

For more information about .tel domain names contact your usual Marks & Clerk advisor, Luke Hill lhill@marks-clerk.com or Kirsten Gilbert kgilbert@marks-clerk.com.