auDA TO CONSIDER NEW NAMES FOR .AU

 

Melbourne, 24 April 2002 - auDA is calling for proposals for new .au
second level domains (2LDs), that would be created alongside the
existing 2LDs like com.au and org.au.

 

The .au domain space is structured into several 2LDs that allow people
to register domain names for different purposes. For example, com.au is
for commercial purposes, edu.au is for educational purposes, and so on.

 

auDA is considering whether there is sufficient public support for the
creation of some new 2LDs. For example, should auDA follow the example
of ICANN and create a new "biz.au" or "name.au"? Another option might be
to create new 2LDs for specific sectors of the community, like "law.au"
for lawyers.

 

auDA is particularly interested in receiving proposals for the existing
info.au 2LD, which is currently inactive. 

 

"Now that the .info gTLD has commenced operation, we think there is real
potential for info.au to become a very popular domain among Australian
Internet users," said auDA CEO, Chris Disspain.

 

Proposals will be evaluated by an independent New Names Advisory Panel,
which will provide recommendations to the auDA Board. auDA is currently
accepting nominations for membership of the Panel.

 

"The main focus of the Panel will be on whether there is a demonstrated
community need for the new 2LD. There is no technical limit to the
number of 2LDs that could be created, but auDA's view is that 2LDs
should exist for a specific, well-defined purpose that serves to
maintain the overall integrity and usability of the .au domain," said
Disspain.

 

The closing date for proposals is Friday 31 May 2002.

 

See http://www.auda.org.au/policy/panel-newname-2002 for more
information.

 

-ENDS-

 

For media contact:

 

Chris Disspain

Chief Executive Officer

auDA

tel: 03 9349 4711

email: ceo§auda.org.au