The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is reconsidering the status of .home, .mail, and .corp, which were previously rejected due to name collision concerns. These generic top-level domains (gTLDs) were initially proposed in 2004 but were not introduced due to conflicts with internal networks. Now, ICANN is reevaluating the risks and potential mitigations associated with these domains.
The Name Collision Analysis Project (NCAP) was launched to study the risks of name collisions, which occur when a name defined in one namespace is used in another. The project aims to understand the root causes of name collisions and develop strategies to mitigate them. The NCAP Discussion Group has published several reports and is seeking input from the community on its findings and recommendations.
The .home, .mail, and .corp gTLDs were initially proposed by The Spamhaus Project in 2004 but were rejected by ICANN due to naming conflicts. However, with the advancement of technology and the development of new strategies to mitigate name collisions, ICANN is now reconsidering the introduction of these gTLDs.
The next round of new gTLD applications is expected to open in April 2026. This presents an opportunity for organizations and individuals to apply for new gTLDs, including .home, .mail, and .corp. The application process will involve a thorough evaluation of the potential risks and benefits associated with each gTLD.
ICANN has established several initiatives to support applicants, including the Applicant Support Program (ASP) and the Registry Service Provider (RSP) Evaluation Program. These programs aim to provide financial and non-financial support to eligible entities and reduce the cost and time involved in evaluating new gTLDs.
The potential unbanning of .home, .mail, and .corp could have significant implications for the internet landscape. These gTLDs could be used for various purposes, such as branding, community building, or geographic identification. The introduction of new gTLDs could also lead to increased competition and innovation in the domain name industry.
As the internet continues to evolve, the introduction of new gTLDs could play a crucial role in shaping its future. The reconsideration of .home, .mail, and .corp is a significant development in this process, and it will be important to monitor the progress of the NCAP and the next round of new gTLD applications.