The application will be made to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the body responsible for evaluating the applications a wide range of communities, cities and brands who want their own domains on the internet to join the likes of .com and .co.uk.
The Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science – Mrs Edwina Hart MBE OStJ AM – has today indicated in a statement that the Welsh Government is content for Nominet to take the case for the Welsh TLDs forward.
Glenn Hayward Director of Finance & Business Development of Nominet said: “This is a big opportunity for Cymru /Wales to define its space on the internet and maximise the distinct identity of the country in both languages – so we will apply for both Dot CYMRU and Dot WALES domains.
“We are confident that our proposed model will position Wales at the forefront of the digital world, by creating trusted high quality domains that provide a clear signpost to all aspects of Welsh society. It will
provide consumers and businesses with an opportunity to express their identity and pride through a dedicated online space.
“Nominet believes that a combined bid for dot CYMRU and dot WALES offers the greatest benefits, and this has the full backing of the Welsh Government.”
Ieuan Evans MBE, who chairs the Nominet Wales Advisory Group, said: “Nominet is a not for profit organisation and one of the world’s most experienced and respected registries. They are committed to delivering this bid to ICANN.
He added “Nominet is clearly committed to supporting more use of the Welsh language on the internet and has already advised on how this can be achieved in relation to domain names policy. Now is the time for everyone in Wales to back this bid and to see Wales further represented on the international
stage.”
Nominet will now make a formal bid to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) for both dot WALES and dot CYMRU to be established. Nominet will work with the Welsh Government and consider the
needs of Welsh businesses and consumers, and the range of geographical, cultural and linguistic communities who wish to have a stake in the project.
Alex Blowers, who will take the lead with the campaign moving forward and work closely with Wales Advisory Group, said: “We will engage widely and openly to develop policy and operational practices that will make these new domains really deliver for Wales. We welcome dialogue with the Welsh Government and the business community on matters of policy and governance. “We have an experienced Advisory Group in Wales which has been instrumental in pulling this bid together and will continue to help us as we move forward into the application stage and flesh out our policies.”
