Cardiff Council Executive has backed a campaign for Wales to have its own top-level domain dot CYM (.cym). The new domain will give Cardiff people the choice to use .CYM as well as the less specific .com, co.uk or .org.

In response to growing pressure from around the globe the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) decided in June 2008 to admit a range of top-level domains to the Internet addressing system. A top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of an Internet domain name, split into two categories; generic TLD, which includes dot COM; and country code TLD, which relates to countries or larger geographical regions such as dot CO.UK.

As the capital city for Wales, Cardiff has chosen to support the campaign to establish a TLD for Wales which would assist a focus on Cardiff and Wales internationally. At present, the four countries that make up the United Kingdom are covered by a single TLD dot CO.UK. Subsequently Wales and Scotland have launched bids for their own specific TLDs.

Google and Yahoo have confirmed that local domains such as dotCYM will score higher in searches including related terms like Wales or Cymru. Many Welsh software and IT businesses will obtain a boost from the additional services that they could offer around a dedicated Welsh internet domain.

Deputy Leader of Cardiff County Council and Executive Member for Economic Development, Cllr Neil McEvoy, said: “The campaign for a new and unique Top Level Domain for Wales is based on numerous economic and social benefits. For businesses in Wales the dot CYM Top Level Domain will provide an opportunity to register some of the best domain names possible: short, descriptive and memorable.

“Wales would also benefit from improved marketing globally as a tourism destination and business market by setting aside and managing names such as www.hotels.cym, www.visit.cym. We can build a clear brand around .CYM which will be a positive addition and effective way to promote Wales’s products, culture and sporting achievements. The .CYM domain will also put this ancient nation on the internet map”.

Chief Executive of ‘dotCYM’, Siôn Jobbins, said: “The dot CYM domain will give people in Cardiff, Wales and the Welsh diaspora the choice to brand their products, services, interests, sports and communities with a distinct Welsh brand.

“It will be a way for local businesses in Cardiff to show they’re part of the fabric of Cardiff life. This is a very good decision for Cardiff business and society, and the status of Cardiff as the capital of Wales.”

In order to strengthen an application to ICANN, ‘dotCYM’ is recruiting members and supporters to demonstrate the need and local support for a TLD for Wales. This now consists of over 400 organisations and companies, including WAG, and many more individuals.