`.Asia` go live kicks off: millions of high value domains

-DotAsia Announces 'Hot or Not' Contest, Invites Everyone to Participate in '.Asia' Auctions! -'Cyberport.Asia' Launches to Exemplify Hong Kong as Asia's World City

Hong Kong, (ANTARA News/Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - DotAsia Organisation announces Go Live of the ".Asia" registry, signifying the start of first-come-first-served registrations, allowing anyone around the world to get their ".Asia" domain instantaneously.

"With over 10 million domains registered in China alone and over 150 million worldwide, the potential for ".Asia" is only now starting to be realized. There are millions of great ".Asia" domains still available on a first-come-first-served basis," says Edmon Chung, CEO of DotAsia.

During the earlier Sunrise and Landrush phases, .Asia already received over 500,000 domain registration applications. About 45,000 domains received more than one application, and will go to auction. This proved to be successful in reducing the chaos created in previous domain launches as registrants clamour for high value domains.

"The '.Asia' launch has demonstrated a management team committed to balancing the protection of rights while encouraging demand and adoption," says Peter Dengate Thrush, Chairman of ICANN.

"The success of the '.Asia' launch will pave the way and set a new benchmark for future top-level-domain launches."

Among domains headed to auction are highly valuable names such as "buy.asia" and "hot.asia". A live ticker and further information is found at http://www.registry.asia/about auctions.html .

Engaging the public in some fun, DotAsia is launching a first-of-its-kind "Hot or Not" contest: Anyone can play to guess which ".Asia" domain will fetch the highest auction price and what that price might be. Details and prizes will be announced shortly and posted on http://www.think.asia .

"It should be an exciting contest! It will be interesting to see which '.Asia' domains people think are hot. I think there will be quite some surprises," adds Chung. "Through the contest, we hope to foster awareness of the '.Asia' domain and the appreciation of the value of a good name."

Among the first to recognize the value of ".Asia" is Hong Kong Cyberport, who announced today the launch of "www.Cyberport.asia".

"Adopting www.cyberport.asia as our online identity aligns us with Hong Kong's vision as Asia's World City, and our mission to be the hub of IT business in Hong Kong and around Asia," says Nicholas Yang, CEO of Cyberport.

Media Enquiries: Pavan Budhrani Tel: +852-3741-0015
Email: pavan@registry.asia

SOURCE DotAsia Organisation

COPYRIGHT © 2008

`.Asia` Landrush closes with half a million domain name applications

Buy.Asia with most Applications in Landrush; Sex.Asia with most Applications in Sunrise

Hong Kong (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - DotAsia Organisation announced today that a total of 473,633 domain registration applications were received within the 3-week Landrush period. Including Sunrise and '.Asia' Pioneer Domains, the number of applications totals to over half a million: 505,838. '.Asia' registry will Go Live on March 26, domain names will be available on a First-Come-First-Served basis.

"The results exceeded our expectations. We are very pleased with the enthusiastic demand for the '.Asia' domain. This is a testament to the global interest in the thriving Asia Internet marketplace, and the investment appeal for the most prestigious cyber real-estate in Asia," says Edmon Chung, CEO of DotAsia.
"It will be interesting to see which of the domain names would fetch the highest prices in the auction. I believe we could be in for some surprises."

45,697 domains received more than one application in Landrush and will go to auction. Out of which, "buy.asia" was the most sought after, with over 400 applicants fighting for the name. Others in the top 5 include: hot.asia, gold.asia, fun.asia, girl.asia. 1,051 domain names received more than one application during Sunrise. Among which, "sex.asia" received the most Sunrise applications, with 14 prior-right claims filed. A live ticker and the latest auction results can be found on http://www.registry.asia .

The top registrar in the .Asia Landrush was AsiaDNS (http://www.asiadns.asia). Others in the top-10 include: Dotalliance (http://www.dotalliance.asia ), Communigal Communications (http://www.galcomm.asia), GoDaddy.com, Key-Systems (http://www.domaindiscount24.asia), Gabia, HiChina Web Solutions, DomainPeople (http://www.domainpeople.asia), Yesnic and NamesBeyond.com. ".Asia opened great opportunities for AsiaDNS.

Even with high expectations, our results nearly doubled our expectations! We were able to attract new customers from around the world who understands the value of a .Asia domain." said Frederick Schiwek, EVP of AsiaDNS.

About DotAsia Organisation:

DotAsia Organisation is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation incorporated in Hong Kong. Asia has developed into a global force in the international commercial, political and cultural network. The '.Asia' domain aspires to embrace this dynamism in the Asia Century to become a nucleus, intersection and breeding ground for Internet activity and development in the region. Visit: http://www.registry.asia for more information.

Media Enquiries:
Pavan Budhrani
Tel:
+852-3741-0015
Email: pavan@registry.asia
SOURCE DotAsia Organisation

COPYRIGHT © 2008

DotAsia to launch .Asia Landrush cyber real estate auction

Hong Kong, (ANTARA News/Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - DotAsia Organisation is happy to announce the successful launch of the ".Asia" Landrush period.

A total of 266,663 applications were received by the registry within the first 24 hours, demonstrating great interest around the world to stake claims in the most prestigious cyber real estate in Asia.

Including Pre-Sunrise, Sunrise, Pioneer programs and the first day of Landrush, the total number of domain applications to date is 298,861.

".Asia" Landrush opened Feb 20 and will close on March 12, 2008.

Unlike conventional first-come-first-served processes, DotAsia utilizes a model that treats all applications received equally no matter if it was submitted within the first second or on the last day of the Landrush period.

For domains receiving two or more applications, an auction will be held between the applicants.

Domains with only one application are allocated directly without auction.

You must apply during the Landrush period (Feb 20 - Mar 12, 2008) in order to be eligible to participate in the domain auctions.

"We are very excited about the smooth launch. The volume of interest demonstrates strong demand for ".Asia". Unlike conventional chaotic rushes where the best names are snatched in the opening seconds, you still have 20 days to submit your application without losing out," says Edmon Chung, CEO of DotAsia.

"We are also excited to see strong participation from Asia, with 5 out of the top 10 registrars coming from Asia."

Over 35% of the Landrush applications received came from Asia, with 40% from North America and 24% from Europe. A total of about 28,000 domain names received more than one application. The top 10 registrars in the first day, in order, are: Dotalliance Inc. (http://www.dotalliance.asia), EuroDNS (http://www.asiadns.asia), Communigal Communications Ltd., GoDaddy.com, Gabia, HiChina Web Solutions, Key-Systems (http:// www.domaindiscount24.asia), NamesBeyond.com, DomainPeople Inc. (http://www.domainpeople.asia), eName Corp..

About DotAsia Organisation:

DotAsia Organisation is the Sponsoring Organisation and Registry Operator for the ".Asia" Sponsored Generic Top Level Domain.

DotAsia is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation incorporated in Hong Kong. Asia has developed into a global force in the international commercial, political and cultural network.

The ".Asia" domain aspires to embrace this dynamism in the Asia Century to become a nucleus, intersection and breeding ground for Internet activity and development in the region. To learn more about DotAsia, please visit: http://www.registry.asia.

Media Enquiries:
Pavan Budhrani
Tel: +852-3741-0015
Email: pavan@registry.asia
SOURCE: DotAsia Organisation

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