Businesses based in the capital could soon be able to apply for .london top level web domains.
London & Partners has announced an interest in bidding for a 10-year Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) licence to run a new domain, or a generic top-level domain (gTLD), for the capital. Other major world cities have also put forward plans to get city-specific domains, such as Berlin, New York, Paris, Rome and Sydney.
The promotional agency is now working with mayor of London Boris Johnson to consider the benefits of a .london domain and it will consult with businesses, commercial organisations and city services. It will also look at funding and revenue models, as well as getting in touch with potential customer groups.
Johnson believes the .london top level web domain could help the capital strengthen its position as a global centre for digital innovation. It could also be used to help deliver better public services to for the capital via the digital world.
Digital advisor to the mayor Kulveer Ranger said: “Ownership of the .london domain could offer a tremendous opportunity to reinforce London’s position as a global centre for digital innovation, generate revenue and bring about new employment opportunities.
“There is great potential for engaging with Londoners and the mayor is interested to understand better what people think this opportunity would mean to them, as well as the marketing opportunities and the business benefit for the capital as a whole.”
London & Partners is also looking into how a top level web domain for the capital could help create new jobs and harness new revenue streams, ensuring that it offers value for money.
The promotional agency’s chief executive, Gordon Innes, said: “London has always been seen as a city that leads on digital innovation and our interest in applying for dot London demonstrates our commitment to maintaining this position.
“We believe that owning the dot London gTLD will not only generate increased opportunities for the promotion of the capital, but will achieve benefits for businesses and organisations across the capital.”
However, London businesses are likely to have to wait until 2013 to secure their own .london domain. Applications can be sent to Icann between January 12 and April 12 next year and it could from nine to 20 months for it to conduct a review process.
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