As of my current knowledge and accessible resources, there isn’t a specific top-level domain (TLD) under the name “LANCASTER.” Top-level domains are the last segment of a domain name, commonly referred to as domain extensions. These TLDs are managed and registered by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
According to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a Top Level Domain (TLD) is the last part of a domain name on the internet; for example, .com, .net, .edu, .gov, .org, etc. These generic top-level domains (gTLD) are the most commonly seen, but there are also country code TLDs (ccTLD), such as .us for United States, .ca for Canada, .jp for Japan, etc. (source: ICANN).
ICANN also introduced a program in 2012 that allowed organizations to apply for custom top-level domains (new gTLDs). Examples include “.google”, “.apple”, “.amazon”, “.nike” and hundreds more. However, to the best of my knowledge, there is no “.lancaster” TLD under the existing, planned, or retired top-level domains as per the list provided by IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority), the organization responsible for global coordination of the DNS Root, IP addressing, and other internet protocol resources (source: IANA).
Looking specifically for “LANCASTER”, there might be possible sub domains or second-level domains using the name Lancaster in some form. For instance, there could be university web addresses such as www.lancaster.university or business websites like www.lancaster.associates. But these are not considered top-level domains.
The process to apply for a new gTLD is complex and expensive. An organization applying for a new gTLD needs to go through an application process with ICANN, which entails a fee of $185,000 and a detailed proposal of why the organization wants the domain and how it will be used (source: ICANN).
Therefore, unless there is a company, organization, or individual willing to pay the hefty fee and undergo the application process, it is unlikely that a “.lancaster” TLD will exist in the near future. However, the digital landscape is ever-evolving and there could be changes based on rules, structure, and regulations laid down by ICANN and the evolving needs of internet users.
Sources:
1. ICANN. (n.d.). New gTLDs. ICANN. https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/.
2. IANA. (n.d.). Root Zone Database. IANA. https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/.
3. ICANN. (n.d.). New gTLD Program. ICANN. https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/timelines.
