For the first time since 2012, the New gTLD Program is now accepting applications for new domain zones. This is an initiative of ICANN, which oversees the operation of top-level domains around the world.
Now any city has the opportunity to open its own zone: for example, .MINSK or .Mensk. Brands can get their own domain, like .BELAZ, .ATLANT, .CONTE. Any organization has a chance to apply for registration of a domain that does not exist yet.
Support throughout the process is provided by hoster.by – the largest registrar of .BY and .BEL domains and the only registrar in Belarus that has received ICANN accreditation.
This is the second round of the New gTLD Program. The previous one took place more than 10 years ago and gave a start to the registration of names in more than 1200 new top-level domains.
The process of obtaining its own zone is not fast, the main reception of applications is scheduled for April 2026. But in November of this year, the Applicant Support Program (ASP) will begin reviewing applications.
Who can participate and how much it costs
Any for-profit or non-profit organization can participate. The preliminary cost of ICANN review is $227,000.
It is important to note that the ASP program offers a discount of up to 85%. Non-profit and non-governmental organizations, socially-oriented small businesses, small businesses from countries with relatively low levels of economic development, and indigenous peoples’ offices are eligible to apply. They will be able to submit their applications as early as November this year.
Which domain zone can be registered
Any combination of characters that does not yet exist as a domain zone can be applied for. It is allowed to use not only Latin letters, but also the Cyrillic alphabet, including the Belarusian alphabet. It will not be possible to register a domain with someone else’s brand name or words that contradict generally accepted moral norms.
The examples of successful domain zones created through the New gTLD Program are .PHOTO, .AUTO, .MODA and .XYZ. The latter, by the way, has become the world’s fourth largest zone by number of names in the last 2 years of its existence.
City domains are also growing rapidly. The most popular are .AMSTERDAM, .BERLIN and .TOKYO. Many cities use shortened or informal variants, such as .RIO or .NYC. The Russian capital has two domains at once: .MOSCOW and .MOSKVA. And if it seems that only capitals can boast of their own zones, then .SAARLAND and .KYOTO prove the opposite. And .HAMBURG and .KOELN are among the top ten most successful city domains. Belarusian regions can also have good potential, especially if you approach the choice of zone creatively. For example, .BREST can be promoted to the audience of a French city with the same name. Not to mention the English meaning of the word and related industries, such as women’s health.
“Of course, creating your own domain zone is not the easiest and cheapest process,” says Sergey Povalishev, CEO of hoster.by. – It includes competent execution of the application and accompanying documents, drawing up a number of regulations, preparing technical infrastructure for the domain, etc. We have experience in registering our own top-level domains, as well as 10 years in the status of technical administrator of the national zone. Therefore, we will be glad to lead everyone by the hand through each stage: from administrative issues and preparation of the application to providing all the necessary technical base for the operation of the new top-level domain”.
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