Who decides domain name prefixes?

Once in a while there are new domain names prefixes (.com, .net etc), what I'm wondering is who are the one to decide this? Who's in charge of these decisions and technically able to manage this?

Thanks!

 

ICANN for the most part: http://www.icann.org/

Oh and those are called top level domains or TLDs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-level_domain

I say for the most part since there are pseudo TLDs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudo-top-level_domain) as well as Alternatives. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_DNS_root)

Hope this helps,
-drmike

 

Yes ICANN is the main incharge of this but they give the rights to countries for country level domains

 

Well,they are domain extensitons.ICANN has made the rules related to domain.But different country can also
determine their domain extension under the rule of ICANN.

 

i heard that we actually can submit proposal for new domain extension even it's not ccTLD. is it true?

 

I don't think that's entirely true but I heard on the radio the other day that ICANN's considering releasing a whole new bunch.

 

Yes, anyone can submit a request for a new *.tld. Runs $10k US I believe last time I checked and you have to prove that you are experienced and knowledgeable enough about the domain system to manage such a job or have already hired others to do so for you.

edit: Oops, the price has gone up. It's now $50k US. http://www.icann.org/en/tlds/new-tld-application-instructions-15aug00.htm

 

OMG! it means $50k for registering one! TLD

Yes! ICANN reserves whole rights to perform several operation regarding Domains & Prefixes

 

And thats non refundable .. if they dont agree to create the tld then that 50k is gone.

 

Alright, thanks for all the good information people!

 

wtf a great RIP from icann

 

No, that's $50k to ask if you can register a *.tld. Costs even more if you get approval.

 

its 50K$ to waste not 50$

 

Who makes the propositions to ICANN then?

 

Anyone who wants to. All they have to do is pony up the $50k US and show that they have the experience and the knowledge to run the new *.TLD. (Or show that they've hired someone to do so.)

 

Ah, that explains a lot.