The Landrush for the innovative new top level domain name .tel, trademark owners have a limited time to apply for their domain name before applications open to everyone in two weeks time.

Everyone will be able to buy a .tel domain name from 3.00 p.m. GMT on Tuesday 3rd February 2009, enabling everyone to have one secure and easy-to-manage address for life which they own and where people will be able to view from any device connected to the internet and contact them with simple ‘click to communicate’ functionality using any and all existing communications types. As no web hosting, web development or deep level of technical expertise is required, .tel domain name are a revolution in the use of domain names and internet publishing and ideal for individuals and small businesses with limited resources.

.tel domain name have gained significant interest from the mainstream media in the run-up to this significant launch date, including:

• “The Google of online phone books” Michal Lev-Ram, CNN/Fortune
• “The new domain, which stores and encrypts contact information directly into the Domain Name System, has the potential to become a phone book for the Internet.” Danielle Belopotosky, New York Times
• “Telnic’s approach is revolutionary” Jennifer L. Schenker, BusinessWeek
• “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.” Paul Taylor, Financial Times
• “It’s the mother of all telephone books” Dean Takahashi, VentureBeat

With over 120 ICANN-accredited registrars signed up with Telnic, levels of pre-orders (applications for .tel domain names taken by registrars to submit the instant Landrush commences) are being called ‘unprecedented’ by some in the registrar community.

ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has approved the creation of a new Top Level Domain (TLD) for use on the Internet – .tel. The new domain name is aimed primarily at telecoms providers. The .tel domain name was approved by ICANN on May 2006 and it is sponored by telnic. The .tel is a service that allows individuals and businesses alike to store and manage all their contact information and keywords directly in the DNS without the need to build, host or manage a website.

The idea is for people to use .tel domain name as a way of communicating directly with the person or company behind a particular Web site, using technologies such as voice over Internet Protocol, e-mail or Short Message Service (SMS). Telnic used some examples of the domain name like: OdurindeLuqman.tel or VelnetWeb.tel.

“The .tel domain name offers the first genuinely different use of domains since .com was first created. It will provide seamless integration of existing methods of communication, with emerging technologies like voice over IP,” Telnic’s chief executive, Khashayar Mahdavi, said in a statement.

“The days of needing to remember several telephone numbers, numerous VoIP or instant message identities and other points of contact for our social and professional networks are over. By leveraging innovative DNS (Domain Name System) technology, the .tel domain will allow anyone to publish and control, in real time, how they can be reached,” Mahdavi said.

With less than 125 days to the launch the domain name, EuroDNS.com has become the first ICANN-accredited re-seller of  .tel domain name registrar.

The launch schedule for the .tel domain name is as follows:
Sunrise:

• Timing – Sunrise opens at 15:00 GMT on 3rd December, 2008 and closes 23:59 GMT on 2nd February, 2009. Applications will only be accepted from ICANN accredited registrars.

• Eligibility – Owners and licensees of trademarks registered with national effect may apply. Trademarks must have been applied for prior to 30th May, 2008 and registered prior to 3rd December, 2008. Applications may be based on both word and figurative (device) marks that consist exclusively or predominantly of words.

• Selection method – The selection method is first-come, first-served. The Validation Agent will review applications for conformity with the Sunrise Policy.

• Reconsideration – If an application is rejected, the applicant will have 10 days to file an appeal. If an application is accepted, third parties will have 10 days to file a challenge.

• Sunrise Policy – Registrations during Sunrise are subject to the standard registration conditions contained in Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and the Sunrise Policy provided below.

Landrush:

• Timing – Landrush opens at 15:00 GMT on 3rd February, 2009 and closes at 23:59 GMT on 23rd March, 2009. Applications will only be accepted through ICANN accredited registrars.

• Eligibility – Open to everyone. Any domain that is not registered during Sunrise will be eligible for Landrush registration at a premium price.

• Selection Method – The selection method is first-come, first-served. There is no validation involved.

• Landrush Policy – Registrations during Landrush are subject to the standard registration conditions contained in the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).

General Availability:

• Timing – General availability opens at 15:00 GMT on 24 March 2009. Applications will only be accepted through ICANN accredited registrars.

• Eligibility – Open to everyone

• Selection Method -  The selection method is first-come, first-served. There is no validation involved.

• General Availability Policy – Registrations during General Availability are subject to the standard registration conditions contained in the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

For details information about .tel domain name, registration schedule and procedure, please check telnic.org