The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has expressed public support for a .radio top-level domain name. Under the proposal as put forth by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), registration will be available via the EBU to all eligible radio representative organizations and broadcasters, Internet radios, radio amateurs, radio professionals and their respective representative organizations, as well as companies providing radio-specific products and services in order to create a worldwide radio community.

The proposal must be approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN); this organization is responsible for the coordination of the global Internet’s systems of unique identifiers and, in particular, ensuring its stable and secure operation. Much of its work has concerned the Domain Name Space (DNS) policy development for internationalization of the DNS system and introduction of new generic top-level domains (TLDs), such as .com, .edu, .org, .net and the new .aero, .xxx and .travel.

In a letter to ICANN Chairman Steve Crocker, IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, said that “the IARU believes that the .radio proposal submitted by the EBU provides a unique opportunity to standardize radio domain names on the Internet. The use of a specific global online name such as .radio can help create a unique space worldwide, a place where the global radio community can gather. In my capacity as the IARU President, I recommend that the .radio Top Level Domain (TLD) proposal of the EBU be approved by ICANN.”

EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre welcomed the IARU’s expression of confidence: “The EBU believes its application matches ICANN’s exacting criteria and best serves the collective interests of the global radio community. These kinds of comments confirm that belief.”

Earlier this month, ICANN issued a progress report on the initial evaluation process for the .radio proposal. Applications have now been assigned to the relevant geographic, string similarity and DNS stability evaluation panels. According to the EBU, many people and organizations have expressed a desire for more time to comment publicly. The formal period for public comment has been extended to September 26, 2012 to meet the demand of individuals and organizations. Comments received by September 26 will be forwarded to the evaluation panels to review and consider as part of their evaluations.

The EBU serves 74 Members in 56 countries in and around Europe. It represents its members and promotes the values and distinctiveness of public service media in Europe and around the world. The Eurovision and Euroradio networks deliver news, sports, events and music to EBU members and other media organizations. -- Thanks to the European Broadcasting Union for some information