Iain Roache Generic TLDs explosion

On June 20, 2011 ICANN's board voted to end most restrictions on the generic top-level domain names (gTLD) from the 22 currently available. Companies and organizations will be able to choose essentially arbitrary top-level Internet domains. The use of non-Latin characters will also be allowed in gTLDs. ICANN will begin accepting applications for new gTLDs on January 12, 2012. Entertainment and financial services brands are most likely to apply for new gTLDs for their brands, according to a survey by registrar Melbourne IT. The initial price to apply for a new gTLD was $185,000. ICANN expects that the first batch of new gTLDs will be operational by September 2013. ICANN expects the new rules to significantly change the face of the internet. Peter Thrush, chairman of ICANN's board of directors stated after the vote: "Today's decision will usher in a new internet age." Iain Roache is the chairman of one of the top players in the new generic TLD scheme.