Internet body approves domain name big bang

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — Web regulators Thursday voted to allow the creation of thousands of new domain names, from .paris to .Pepsi, in one of the biggest shake-ups in Internet history, a French web official said.

The overhaul is expected to radically change the way users navigate the Internet and has major implications for businesses and consumers worldwide.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) board approved the change at its annual general meeting in Paris, according to Loic Damilaville, deputy head of the French domain name body, the AFNIC.

"We think this is a great opportunity for the sector, we are very enthusiastic," the chief executive of ICANN, Paul Twomey, told AFP before the vote.

Currently all web addresses fall under one...