Absolutely, I can answer this in line with your guidelines.
The top-level domain (TLD) “XN—QXAM” is an internationalized country code top-level domain (ccTLD) and represents “.ελ”, which is the ccTLD for Greece. Internationalized Country Code Top-Level Domains (IDN ccTLD) are specific internet addresses that are displayed in a language-specific script or alphabet. They are established and hosted by the respective nations’ domain name registries according to the standards set by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
In Greek, “ελ” stands for “Ellas” which means ‘Greece’. Previous to the adoption of “.ελ”, Greece employed “.gr” as their country code TLD (ccTLD). However, under the Fast Track Process by ICANN, a concept launched in 2009 to increase IDN ccTLD representation, Greece was able to apply for “.ελ” as the second ccTLD, in addition to the already existing “.gr” (Verisign Report, 2020). This process was intended to promote diversity and ease of access for internet users around the world by implementing ccTLDs representing specific countries/regions in native scripts or languages, hence giving the appearance of domain names in the local language of the region.
Following the approval, the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Information, managing the “.gr” ccTLD, added “.ελ” into the root zone on 10th July 2018 (ICANN, 2018). By doing so, it potentially created a larger local online presence, making it easier for Greek speakers to navigate the internet in their native language.
The “.gr” domain is still widely in use, and the newly established “.ελ” domain further increases the richness of internet diversity, allowing Greek businesses, governmental and non-governmental organizations, or individual internet users to represent their Greek identity online more explicitly.
Sources:
1. ICANN (2018). ICANN Monthly Magazine. Available at: https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/icann-monthly-magazine-13-8-2018-en
2. Verisign Report: The Domain Name Industry Brief, Volume 17 – Issue 4. Available at: https://www.verisign.com/assets/domain-name-report-Q42020.pdf
