Unedited Press Release as I received it…
STERLING, Va., September 1, 2009 – Neustar (NYSE: NSR) announced today that it is now accepting proposals for two-character .BIZ domain names through September 30, 2009.
Earlier this year, Neustar received approval from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to make short, memorable one- and two-character .BIZ domain names – for example, www.ny.biz, www.my.biz and www.i.biz – available to the public. This is the first time any major global top level domain (gTLD) registry has released all one- and two-character names.
“Neustar is looking forward to receiving proposals for two-character .BIZ names,” said Tim Switzer, vice president of domain registry services at Neustar. “We will select the candidates who not only present the best plans, but will commit to making the .BIZ domain name a significant component of their marketing efforts.”
In a related phased rollout that began in June 2009, Neustar previously accepted proposals for the 36 one-character .BIZ domain names. That RFP process is now closed, and on September 23, 2009, Neustar will begin auctioning all the one-character names not yet allocated. Proceeds from the auction will be used to further promote the .BIZ brand. Further details concerning the auction will be posted at www.neustarregistry.biz/announcements/announcement in the coming weeks.
The 1,332 one-and two-character domain names in .BIZ were originally reserved from use when the .BIZ top-level domain (TLD) was launched in 2001. Today, the .BIZ TLD has grown to over two million names and remains focused on small and mid-sized businesses around the world.
For more information on Neustar’s planned release of one- and two-character .BIZ domain names – including the list of domains, timing and the Request for Proposals – please visit the Neustar URL listed above.
To view the RFPs and to learn more about Neustar’s phased rollout of the one- and two-character domain names, please visit Neustar Registry.
