ICANN Approves New Internet Domains

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which oversees Web addresses, has given preliminary approval two new top-level domains: .jobs and .mobi. The .mobi domain would set apart Web sites tailored for mobile devices such as cell phones, while .jobs is targeted at human resources. For example, a company may list its career opportunities on a .jobs domain rather than on its main site.

ICANN will now begin negotiations with companies who have bid to operate the new domains, but the process could take months and it is possible the domains are not accepted in the end. In October, ICANN gave similar approval to .post for postal services and .travel for the travel industry. However, ICANN has not granted final approval to any new top-level domains since 2000.