A top-level domain (TLD) is the root directory represented in a Web site address by the characters appearing to the right of the "dot" (e.g., the "com" in .com). Organizations assigned with managing a new TLD would become a "registry" for that TLD and would work with "registrars" to register second-level domain names (the characters to the left of the "dot") for companies or individuals who wish to use the TLD for their Web site.

The application to ICANN for new TLDs is part of a larger strategy by KDDI to improve access to the Internet particularly for non-English speaking individuals and small businesses. A total of 47 applications were submitted to ICANN prior to the October 2, 2000 deadline, although KDDISOL is the only Japanese company represented. Decisions regarding assignment of new TLDs is expected December 31 2000.

The Asian market represents the fastest growing Internet community in the world. ICANN can promote internationalization of the Internet by choosing geographically diverse organizations as new registries. KDDI is one of the largest telecommunication companies in the world, with premier technology that transcends international borders throughout Asia. Establishing a part of the critical Internet infrastructure, such as a registry for a new TLD, will boost confidence in and accessibility to the existing Internet infrastructure throughout the region, thereby providing a measure of security and stability to the Internet as a whole.

Quote from KDDISOL CEO, Tohru Asami : "It is our belief that the assigning of new TLDs represents an ideal opportunity to begin building the Internet's foundation around the world, making it a truly global medium. KDDISOL is in the unique position to effectively utilize KDDI's extensive network resources throughout the world. We are prepared to serve the Internet community through providing a robust and reliable registry system for .biz and .home, and by insuring that it reaches the individuals and small businesses in non-English speaking regions that wish to conduct business over the Internet"

KDDISOL has partnered with VeriSign Global Registry Services (VeriSign GRS), the world's leading registry service provider, to ensure that the new registry infrastructure will be equipped to handle the complex and volume-heavy registration processes. VeriSign GRS (formerly Network Solutions Registry) has served as the registry for the current generic TLDs, .com, .net & .org, since 1991, and now currently support well over 20 million domain names. The two companies have a history of successful cooperation. Currently, KDDISOL hosts two of the 12 name servers managed by VeriSign GRS that handle the resolution of domain names for the current generic TLDs.

"We are pleased to contribute to KDDISOL's efforts to secure the .biz and .home top-level domains," says Bruce Chovnick, General Manager of VeriSign GRS. "We understand the need to internationalize the Internet, as demonstrated by our multilingual domain names testbed and we whole-heartedly support their efforts to establish an Asian-based registry."

If granted one or both of the new TLDs, KDDISOL plans to implement registration policies that shrink the "digital divide." Presently, the Internet holds a high barrier of entry in non-English speaking regions for individuals and small businesses that wish to communicate or conduct business over the Internet. While not lowering the technological requirements of registration, KDDISOL will establish practices that encourage a more widespread use of the Internet throughout Asia. KDDI is uniquely qualified to become the first major, Asian-based Internet infrastructure company.