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Top level domains (TLDs) are typically an integral part of the internet domain name address system but a new TLD authorized by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will have a entirely different purpose when it is finally launched by UK-based Telnic in December.
Telnic, which is promoting the new .tel TLD at the Demo conference in San Diego this week, claims the new TLD will enable individuals (and companies) to store, update and publish all their contact information, web links and keywords under their own unique .tel domain name directly on the internet without the need to create a website.
Think of .tel as a ‘live’ global white/yellow pages directory or communications hub that crucially leaves control of the contact and other information in the hands of the domain owner who can set different levels of access for different visitors. So, for example, friends and family could have full access while private information is hidden from casual browsers and search engines.
.tel domains can store all types of contact information including regular telephone numbers, SIP phone details, IM ‘handles’, web addresses and social network usernames as well as multi-lingual keywords describing jobs, interests and hobbies in a single place.
Conversely, the data stored in the .tel domain is accessible from any internet connected device simply by pointing a browser at the .tel name and the contact details become ‘hot’ links so, for example, if you are accessing the information from a smartphone, clicking on a telephone number will launch a call.
Overcoming the bureaucratic and technical hassles necessary to launch .tel has taken years, but Telnic believes its imminent introduction could have enormous repercussions. Henri Asseily, chief strategist and CTO at Telnic, who demonstrated the functionality of .tel to the DEMOfall audience, said, “Previously, companies have used the DNS to have computers talk to computers. .tel puts the human being directly in the DNS, storing all types of contact information in NAPTR, TXT and LOC records. .tel will drive a revolution in communications, search and directory services.”
David Gelles, Joseph Menn, Chris Nuttall and Richard Waters in the FT's San Francisco bureau upload their views - plus tech insights from writers in New York, London and Tokyo
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