ICANN executives give green light to gTLD program

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) says it is ready for the first wave of generic top level domain name (gTLD) applications.

Later this week, on Thursday January 12, 2012, the body will begin welcoming applications for customized domain name suffixes.

Rod Beckstrom, president and chief executive of ICANN explained that on January 3rd, the executive team met with new gTLD program director Michael Salazar to review every aspect of the launch.

He revealed that each board member was called on to indicate whether his or her group is fully prepared to fulfil their role in supporting the program.

“While we noted the ongoing presence of risks that were identified and highlighted to the board and community in June, and the mitigation steps that have been taken, each executive indicated approval to proceed,” Mr. Beckstrom stated.

As a result, chief operating officer Akram Atallah and Mr. Salazar gave ICANN the “green light” to move forward, he noted.

“We thank the community, the board and everyone involved in developing and refining this program, which will open the Internet to greater innovation at the top level,” Mr. Beckstrom stated.