A TLD unlike any other: .tel
.com, .eu, .mobi, .name, .asia, .kid, .nyc, .berlin, .bzh, .quebec, .xxx, .geo, .mail… the domain name industry seems to have an endless imagination when it comes to thinking of new extensions. The most recent extension that is being talked about is the .tel extension. The buzz .tel is creating comes as no surprise as this extension is unlike any of its counterparts…
A quick explanation of.tel
Up until now, the purpose of domain names had been to designate Internet-connected computers (hosts) in order to access content (resources) such as websites, FTP files, e-mail, etc. In this context, the extension helped categorize the type of available content: .com for commercial websites, .mobi for mobile-phone adapted content, .co.uk for UK websites, .co.jp for Japanese websites, .org for all kinds of organizations, etc.
The .tel extension is not designed for a website, an FTP server, or an inbox, but rather is designed to provide personal or business contact information: telephone and fax numbers, instant messaging screen names, mail addresses, VoIP, geographical location, etc. In other words, your .tel page is meant to be a virtual business card.
How does .tel work?
In the case of other extensions, the role of the DNS servers was limited to associating a domain name to a host, as determined by the type of service requested (A, MX, NS records, etc.).
However, a lot of other information can be integrated into a DNS zone, such as a simple text (TXT), geographical information (LOC), etc.
The .tel extension is intended to exploit these DNS possibilities in order to use the zones as a resource holder instead of as a resource pointer. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers will be directly held in the zone rather than inside a designated computer in the zone. In order to do this, .tel uses NAPTR records, as in the example below:
This translates into:
What’s the advantage? This solution means you can have an online presence without all the start-up and maintenance pain of a website. You can also access the information without even needing an Internet navigator. This solution allows for instant and fast updates and searches.
Are there risks related to the .tel extension?
Just like everything else, .tel cannot escape all risks:
Non use by market actors: we remember that WAP was introduced as the future of mobile Internet access, but that obviously hasn’t been the case. Invented a decade ago .tel might not attract the same attention as back then. At a time of social networks and web 2.0, .tel might never catch on with the general public.
A spammer’s dream come true: publishing standardized contact details, which are additionally connected to geographical information, is certainly an unexpected goldmine that spammers won’t hesitate to take advantage of. However, the creators of the .tel extension promise that one can choose which details to provide to the public and which ones to make keyword protected. However, a password protected virtual business card seems to go against the main goal of the initiative.
Who is .tel open to and when?
.tel is open to anyone and everyone: companies, individuals, organizations, etc. However, in an attempt to avoid cyber squatting, a special “sunrise” period has been established in order to give brands a head start in registering a .tel domain name.
- Through February 2nd (sorry if you’ve missed it): “Sunrise” period: registration possible for brands only
- February 3rd to March 22nd (GMT): “Landrush” period: registration available to anyone, but at a higher price
- Starting March 23rd (GMT): “General availability” registration is available at the normal price to the public (price depending on the registrar and comparable to a normal domain name)
Image Source: telnic
Adapted by: Jessica Hartstein
Tags: .tel, domain name
