As of the time of writing, there is currently no top-level domain (TLD) “.next” in existence or authorized by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces and numerical spaces of the Internet.
The ICANN’s website (https://www.icann.org/) and the IANA’s TLD database (https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) confirm that there is no such TLD as “.next”. ICANN maintains a list of valid TLDs, which include commonly known ones such as .com, .gov, .edu, .org, as well as country specific TLDs like .us (United States), .uk (United Kingdom), .de (Germany), .fr (France), and so on. It also includes more recent generic TLDs like .app, .io, .ai, etc. But there is currently no .next in the list.
ICANN periodically opens applications for new Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs), the most recent windows was in 2012. Those who wish to register a new TLD can apply, and if approved, it can become an operational part of the Internet’s addressing system. For example, Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc. has registered some TLDs such as .google, .app, .dev through their subsidiary company, Charleston Road Registry. Amazon has also gained the rights to .amazon TLD.
According to ICANN, applying for a new gTLD is a complex process that involves several steps and significant financial commitment. Documentation pertaining to the new gTLD process can be found on: “https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/”. The application fee alone in the 2012 round was $185,000, and successful applicants also need to demonstrate they have the appropriate technical and organisational capabilities to run a TLD.
It’s worth noting that the introduction of new gTLDs have both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, new gTLDs can create more choices for businesses and individuals, allowing them to have domain names that better reflect their identities or their business. On the other hand, the proliferation of gTLDs can potentially create confusion and security concerns.
For now, if you see a .next TLD, it is likely part of a local network or a specific program or application, and not a globally recognized TLD. For such a domain to become globally recognized, it would first need to go through the procedures set by ICANN for new TLD applications.
Sources:
- ICANN (https://www.icann.org/)
- IANA’s TLD database (https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt)
- ICANN’s new gTLDs process (https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/)
- “ICANN fee for new gTLDs” (http://domainincite.com/2299-youll-never-believe-how-much-icann-spent-on-the-new-gtlds-application-system)
- “Advantages and Disadvantages of new TLDs” (https://www.techdigest.tv/2013/07/the_pros_and_co.html)
