Ten organizations submitted applications to sponsor new Internet domains, including ".mobi" for mobile services and ".xxx" for adult content, the group that oversees key aspects of the global network said Friday.
Each organization paid $45,000 to apply for suffixes that are to be set aside for specific industries and interest groups. The deadline for applications was Tuesday. The new domains could be approved as early as this year and would be the first major additions since 2000. Public comments on the applications will be accepted from April 1 through April 30, according to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. In May, the applications are scheduled to be further reviewed by an independent panel. If approved, ICANN will negotiate specific terms and conditions with each domain registry operator.