New gTLD Resources
The creation of new gTLDs has been on ICANN's agenda since the creation of the organization. In 2000, ICANN created 7 new gTLDs to add to the root zone,[1] these were added to the original 7 TLDs. ICANN later added another 8 [Sponsored Top Level Domains]] (sTLDs) between 2005 and 2011. In June, 2011, at the ICANN meeting in SIngapore, the ICANN Board approved a new gTLD program that would allow any entity to apply for and manage their own name space.
The industry had been preparing for the opening of a new gTLD program for a number of years, and following the approval of such a program in Singapore, a whole new gTLD services industry was launched. A list detailing a number of entities involved in the new gTLD consultation, management, and other related services follows.
Registries
Most registries are breaking down their services depending on the intended audience of the new extension. This includes services targeted for: Brand gTLDs, Niche or Community gTLDs, GeoTLDs, and more broadly generic extensions.
Verisign
Verisign is the world's largest domain name registry,[2] it has provided the technical back end for the .com name space since 2000.[3]
Neustar
Neustar makes the unique claim that they have launched more gTLDs than any other registry in the world.[4]
Afilias
Afilias claims to have more registrations from the last round of new gTLDs than all other registry services combined. They largely break up their new gTLD approach between dotBrand, dotCity, and dotNiche.[5] Current registry operator of .info and .mobi, the former is often considered the most successfully launched TLD since .com;[6] they also provide the technical back-end for a number of ccTLDs.[7]