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We could soon be seeing shorter NZ website addresses.
InternetNZ subsidiary the Domain Name Commission has this afternoon approved a policy proposal for second level domain names.
As an example, the policy would allow for a this website to have the "second level" domain NBR.nz (rather than the current NBR.co.nz - an example of a "third level" domain). Sites with .org.nz or .net.nz domains could opt for simpler ".nz" version.
And similarly, an email address like ckeall@nbr.co.nz could become ckeall@nbr.nz.
The proposal will go to public consultation next year, DNC chairman David Farrar says.
A temporary amendment may be made to the DNC's Dispute Resolution Service Policy to cover sub-domains of generic domain names registered at the second level.
Biggest change in 10 years
"It's certainly the biggest change the .nz namespace has seen since it was opened to competition 10 years ago," Webdrive general manager Robin Dickie tells NBR ONLINE.
"As the largest .NZ registrar we think this is a great outcome and will help ensure .NZ remains relevant, particularly as globally registries trend away from 3rd-level domains.
"We know Kiwis prefer and trust .nz domain names, however, you only need to look at the poor uptake of 3rd-level domains such as .kiwi.nz to see that the value rests entirely with the ".nz" part of the name.
.kiwi.nz falls away
Mr Dickie says the new .kiwi.nz* had its one-year anniversary last month and more than 25% of domains weren't renewed, leaving it with just 1.2% market share, compared to .co.nz which dominates with 83%.
"This move will mean that customers who take up 2nd-level domains will have to manage extra domain names," Mr Dickie says.
"However, in the long term we see this as being a lesser evil compared to having to deal with an increasingly long list of 3rd-level domains."
* Not to be confused with the pending new global top level domain name option .kiwi - which would allow NBR.kiwi, for example. See: The cost of challenging InternetNZ
NBR staff
Fri, 11 Oct 2013
Fri, 11 Oct 2013
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
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New website address option will allow 'NBR.nz' as well as 'NBR.co.nz'
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