A Public Service and a Business
In addition to ICANN-mandated responsibilities to the local and to the global Internet communities, a top-level domain is a business with revenues, expenses, and challenging operational responsibilities. For a city government, which probably has no experience in running a top-level domain, this means seeking out relevant expertise while acquiring enough knowledge to be able to provide direction and oversight.
The Top Five Things You Need to Start a City TLD
- A realistic assessment of whether your city can sustain a top-level domain. The Do You Qualify? section of this site provides some ways to quantify this decision.
- A qualified registry operator partner for application services, policy development advice, and operation of the top-level domain registry.
- Approximately $185,000 in fees for Pre-Application and Application. You may be able to get the registry partner to provide these fees.
- A commitment to engage with ICANN, either directly or through your registry partner. Working within the ICANN policy development framework is the best way to enhance or change ICANN policies for the benefit of your city.
- If your city is the capital of a country, you will need the written support or non-objection of the national government. Our Resources section provides the full ICANN Rules for Geographical Names.
