Aust administrator recommends state-based domain names

15 October 2002

The idea for geographic domain names has been around for a long time, according to Chris Disspain, CEO of the Australian domain name administrator, auDA. He told ZDNet Australia the original names panel believed there was a need for a geographic name system, so there is a place for communities to have Web sites. 

"There is perceived to be a need for it now, and they've demonstrated community acceptance of the concept, so it was slightly fast-tracked," said Disspain. The proposal being recommended was put forward by the One City One Site working party (OCOS), and is based on the concept of using geographic place names to create community portals. 

The proposed second level domain names (2LDs) would be act.au, nsw.au, nt.au, qld.au, sa.au, tas.au, vic.au, and wa.au. Their use would be restricted to community Web site portals that reflect community interests, according to auDA. 

Details at: http://www.zdnet.com.au/newstech/ebusiness/story/0,2000024981,20269087,00.htm