The top-level domain (TLD) “.ASIA” is a sponsored generic TLD (gTLD) in the Domain Name System (DNS) of the internet. The DNS is basically the address book of the internet and assists in translating domain names that are easily understood by humans into numeric IP addresses that are recognized by the internet. The term top-level domain refers to the last segment of the domain name, or the part that comes after the dot.
The “.ASIA” TLD is a sponsored TLD because it is backed by a specific community or organization, in this case, the DotAsia Organisation. It was introduced in 2007 and is intended for businesses, individuals, and organizations based in and focused on Asia, Australia, and the Pacific region. However, since 2017, there have been no citizenship or residency requirements to register a .ASIA domain, opening the TLD up to individuals and entities around the world, which can be seen on ICANN’s official site.
As per data provided by Quality Nonsense Ltd, there were over 200,000 domains under the “.ASIA” TLD by the beginning of 2020. Some examples of active websites using this TLD include “greenmonday.asia”, an environmental project aimed at reducing carbon footprint, and “animefestival.asia”, a key event for anime and Japanese pop culture fans based in Asia.
The DotAsia Organisation is the sponsoring organization of the “.ASIA” TLD and ensures its operation, policy-setting, and adherence to guidelines outlined by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the international organization responsible for overseeing and coordinating the internet’s domains and address system. According to ICANN’s Registry Agreement, the “.ASIA” Registry has the responsibility of implementing and enforcing all policy decisions.
The “.ASIA” TLD contributes to the diversification of the gTLD landscape and fosters online identity and presence specific to the vast and culturally diverse Asian region. It offers organizations and individuals targeting Asian markets a domain name that immediately connects them with the region.
In conclusion, the “.ASIA” TLD operates under the remit of the DotAsia Organisation and is an important part of the internet’s DNS. It provides a powerful tool for businesses, organizations, and individuals aiming to establish a digital presence in the Asia-Pacific region, evidencing once again the crucial role DNS plays in organizing, navigating, and driving activities across the internet.
Sources:
1. ICANN’s Official Site
2. Quality Nonsense Ltd
3. DotAsia Organisation’s Official Site
4. ICANN Registry Agreement
