The upcoming application window will be open from January 12, 2012 to April 12, 2012. Additional application rounds will be conducted on a regular basis thereafter. Applicants may be for-profit or not-for-profit entities or government authorities.

The new plan allows an unlimited number of new Internet top-level domains (TLDs) to be introduced at the initiative of companies, not-for-profit entities or government bodies.

CORE expects large number of TLDs to be applied for. The will go live use from 2013 onward. CORE itself prepares and/or supports a number of gTLD initiatives, including projects by major international cities, language or cultural communities. CORE also supports TLD initiatives for shared organizational infrastructure of specific industries. CORE makes its systems available to provide technical TLD operation services to companies who wish to use their brands on the top level of the DNS as a way to maximize the potential of their brand.

The first generic extensions, .com, .net, .org, and .edu were introduced in 1985. In 2000, ICANN approved 7 more extensions, followed by another 9 after 2004. Contrary to the 2000 and 2004 rounds, the coming rounds will not be restricted in terms of purpose or number. Moreover, there will be no absolute requirement for registries to allow third-party registrants.

CORE has been created in 1997 to support the launch of new gTLDs. It has participated in ICANN’s policy development from the outset. CORE currently provides technical registry services for two gTLDs and operates a neutral shared channel connecting registries to registrars for all existing gTLDs and many ccTLDs.