View source for .post

{{TLD|
|logo   = Dotpost.JPG‎
|status = Active
|manager  = [[Universal Postal Union]]
|country   = International
|language = 
|translation = 
|stringcontention =
|registryprovider   = [[Afilias]]
|registrations   = 
|date  = 2009
|type   = sTLD
|community  = Yes
|keypeople  = Bishar Hussein, UPU General Director
}}
'''.POST''' is a [[sTLD|sponsored top level domain name]] (sTLD) delegated in the Internet's [[Root Zone|root zone]]. The [[Universal Postal Union]], a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the sponsoring organization for the sTLD. It is restricted to use by the global postal community and industry.<ref>[http://archive.icann.org/en/tlds/report/post1.html UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION]</ref>

The .post sTLD entered the [[Root Zone|root zone]] on August 7, 2012, almost three years after it was approved by ICANN. This delay was caused by the operator, the Universal Postal Union, being unsure of how to use the TLD.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10005-tonight-a-new-gtld-went-live Tonight a new gTLD went live, domainincite.com]</ref> The [[registry]] backend provider is [[Afilias]].<ref>[http://news.upu.int/news/news-details/article/post-takes-a-technological-leap .post takes a technological leap, news.upu.int]</ref>

After entering the root zone, .post began accepting its first registrations, with postal services in Italy, Brazil, and Malaysia being amongst the first to sign up and go live.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10855-first-post-domains-going-live First .post domains going live]. Domain Incite. Published 2012 October 25. Retrieved 2012 November 13.</ref>


<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10">&#91;10&#93;</a></sup>
==Background==
The [[Universal Postal Union]] submitted an application for the .post string during the first round of TLD expansion program in 2000, but it was not approved at that time.<ref>[http://archive.icann.org/en/tlds/tld-applications-lodged-02oct00.htm TLD Applications Lodged, October 2, 2000]</ref> In 2003, the organization re-submitted its application when [[ICANN]] opened the second round of expansion for sponsored top level domain names. UPU's application was thoroughly evaluated by ICANN Staff and certain issues were negotiated until resolved. ICANN concluded negotiations and posted the proposed sponsorship agreement for public comment on November 3, 2009.  Both parties signed the agreement on December 11, 2009.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-02nov09-en.htm .POST Sponsorship Agreement Posted for Public Comment]</ref>
<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/tap/2009-12-09+-+.POST+Sponsorship+Agreement 2009-12-09 - .POST Sponsorship Agreement]</ref> <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/post .POST Sponsored TLD Agreement, 11 December 2009]</ref>

The UPU initially selected [[CORE]] to serve as its registry backend provider, however following a competitive bidding process in 2011, [[Afilias]] was chosen instead.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10005-tonight-a-new-gtld-went-live Tonight a new gTLD went live, domainincite.com]</ref>

On March 23, 2012, the Poste Italiane signed a cooperative agreement with UPU to launch the .post sTLD. Poste Italiane provided 500,000 Euro to help cover the costs needed by the UPU to set-up and launch the .post STLD during the 25th UPU Congress in Doha in September/October 2012. According to Poste Italiane CEO Massimo Sarmi, ''"Ours is a decisive contribution to successfully launch this initiative this year.post represents an undisputable benefit for customers increasingly using the Internet, as it will offer them the guarantee of a secure and trusted environment. This contribution is a very important step towards endorsing the efforts of our respective organizations, which have worked very hard on the project, especially in the last few months."''<ref>
[http://news.upu.int/news/news-details/article/poste-italiane-gives-post-a boost///c4698727ae0627b7d18cc9911b48ae51/ Poste Italiane gives .post a boost]</ref>

<nowiki><p>In March 2004, the Post-Domain will undergo a re-launch and will expand the eligibility for registering Post-Domains.</nowiki>

''"Under the revised eligibility policy, all private-sector organizations are now eligible to register second-level .POST domain names.  This new policy is designed to expand the role of .POST to include providers of postal & supply chain solutions including, but not limited to, track-and trace, logistics, identity, cross-border payments and blockchain applications."''  <sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11">&#91;11&#93;</a></sup>   

==References==

[[Category:TLD]]
[[Category:TLDs with Registry Agreements|post]]