Arabic speakers will gain access to domain names in their own language from 2012, it has been revealed.
Speaking to Gulf News, Rod Beckstrom, chief executive and president of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), explained that English will no longer be the sole language used for domain name extensions.
He said that with the launch of generic top level domain names, companies and individuals in the Middle East will be able to create their own extensions in Arabic.
“If you have a community-based application, you will get a higher priority,” Mr. Beckstrom explained.
“Our policy development process favors communities.”
Applicants will be required to pay an initial fee of $185,000 to ICANN to enter the registration process.
Successful applicants, who receive a generic top level domain, will then be required to pay $25,000 per year to ICANN for domain name management.