The number of top-level internet domains is set to double over the next few years, after ICANN today approved the launch of a program that will let any company apply to run dot-anything.
In January next year, essentially any organization will be able to submit an application to ICANN for a virtually any gTLD, using the rules set down in a 300-page Applicant Guidebook.
It will cost a bare minimum of $185,000 per application – many organizations are expected to commit over $1m to their bids – and only one string will be permitted per application.