Top-level domain (TLD) is the last segment of the domain name. It follows the final dot in the web address. For example, in the domain name www.example.com, ‘.com’ is the TLD.
However, the specific TLD, ABB, doesn’t currently exist according to the database of Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the organization that manages the global coordination of the DNS Root, IP addressing, and other Internet protocol resources.
There are over 1,500 TLDs as per IANA’s TLD database. The TLDs are mainly divided into two types: generic TLDs (gTLDs) and country-code TLDs (ccTLDs). gTLDs are the most common types of TLDs and include terms such as .com, .net, .org, .gov, .edu and so on. On the other hand, ccTLDs represent specific geographical locations. For example, .us represents the United States, .uk represents the United Kingdom, .de for Germany, .jp for Japan, and so forth.
In addition to these, there are also sponsored TLDs (sTLDs) that are proposed and sponsored by private agencies or organizations that establish and enforce rules restricting the eligibility to use the TLD. Examples include ‘.aero’ reserved for members of the air transport industry and ‘.museum’ for museums.
Ever since 2011, ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) also allowed the creation of customized TLDs, also known as brand TLDs. Large corporations could apply to create a TLD of their brand name.
However, the creation of a new TLD, such as ‘.ABB’, would involve a complex application process to ICANN. The organization must review and approve the application, which also involves a hefty application fee, often running in the range of $185,000 as well as annual fees.
In conclusion, although ‘.ABB’ is technically possible as a TLD, it doesn’t currently exist. It may come into existence in the future if a company or entity named ‘ABB’ applies and is approved by ICANN for a new gTLD, makes the necessary payments and adheres to all related regulations.
Sources:
1. IANA’s TLD database – https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt
2. https://icannwiki.org/.brand
3. https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-3-2018-01-12-en
4. Webopedia, Top-Level Domain (TLD) Definition & Meaning – https://www.webopedia.com/definitions/top-level-domain-tld/
5. Internet Society, An Introduction to Internet Governance – domain names – https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2018/an-introduction-to-internet-governance/
