Top-level domains with extensions such as joburg, capetown and durban are set to hit the Internet next March, after a lengthy process with the international naming authority.
Vika Mpisane, GM of the ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA), says the names will be open to everyone, including international users, to apply for so they can have sub-level domains. This, however, excludes a list of restricted names that has still to be finalised.
Mpisane says the project came after the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers opened applications for new top-level domains toward the end of last year. SA decided to take part and pitch for three main cities as large capitals around the world, such as London, Paris and New York, were applying.
Having a city name as a top-level domain allows for destination marketing, because it creates awareness of cities through a Web site or e-mail address, says Mpisane. He adds that SA did not want to be left behind.
In total, 1 900 applications were submitted for 1 300 new top-level domains, says Mpisane. He explains the difference in applications and names was because some entities requested names that others had submitted.
Space to grow
After a thorough six-month process, SA's bid was successful and the authority is now working towards a March launch, says Mpisane. He explains that government still has to submit a list of restricted names, which could include www.tourism.joburg.
The names that will be restricted to the state include government entities and heritage or cultural identities. He adds government cannot propose an endless list, as this would stifle the space.
The ZA Central Registry (ZACR) - previously UniForum - handled the application process, explains Mpisane. This is because UniForum has the financial and technical expertise, and was appointed as SA's central registry in November.
Mpisane adds that all local domains are being moved over to ZACR, with .org.za currently in the process of being shifted. The concept of a central registry was first mooted in 2007.
The cost for each application was $185 000, about R1.2 million at the time, says Mpisane. Although UniForum put up the amount, it was decided to limit applications to the three major cities due to the cost.
The registry will recover the amount through selling high-value top-level domains, annual fees and registration costs.
Currently, there are some 900 000 .co.za Web sites registered and ZADNA is embarking on a marketing programme to encourage the use of local domains. Mpisane says the country cannot compete with the international appeal of a .com, but such a large domain means a company is just one in "a zoo".
Mpisane says the local Web space can only continue to grow, but the authority needs to punt local domains so that revenue for registrations and annual subscriptions keeps rolling in.
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