The world's first and only top-level domain management organization for mobile internet created specifically for cell phones, dotMobi, announced today that it plans to offer .mobi domains named after approximately 650 cities' names free of charge to the governments of these cities. To ensure that relevant cities can use the .mobi domain to provide relevant information to local residents and tourists, dotMobi specially reserved the registration rights for these cities when publicly registering .mobi domains.
Neil Edwards, CEO of DotMobi, stated: "Currently, there are nearly 600,000 registered .mobi domains globally, with tens of thousands of .mobi websites already in use. Consumers are gradually realizing that they can connect to the internet freely at any time and place through websites built on .mobi domains."
Mr. Edwards added: "Regardless of the location or method of accessing information, dotMobi provides consumers with the best low-cost way to obtain information. Municipal governments will be able to use their .mobi websites to provide important relevant information to local citizens. More significantly, .mobi websites can also provide out-of-town tourists with local tourism information, thereby increasing the local government's tourism revenue."
As the world's first city to launch a .mobi website, "Helsinki.mobi has brought popularity and recognition to Helsinki." Ismo Rantala from Greater Helsinki Promotion pointed out that "Helsinki.mobi not only serves tourists but also provides a mobile innovation platform for the citizens and businesses of Helsinki." Greater Helsinki Promotion is Helsinki City's investment promotion agency, which participated in and created the http://Helsinki.mobi website and is responsible for its subsequent development and marketing.
Micah Gland from Greater Helsinki Promotion also mentioned: "The launch of Helsinki.mobi coincided with the opening of the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest in May 2007, attracting tens of thousands of tourists to Helsinki, providing a great opportunity to promote our city website. The high click-through rate confirmed this. More excitingly, the number of visitors to the Helsinki.mobi website has remained stable."
DotMobi offers city domains to local governments or their representatives for free use for two years, after which they will be renewed according to relevant regulations for updating the domain name. Specific application methods: Qualified domain applicants should submit a brief application explaining how the proposed domain will provide new functions and services to the mobile community as well as local information, along with a marketing and promotional plan.
Within 60 days of obtaining the city domain, relevant cities should provide rich content for their websites that meet dotMobi standards (based on a 5/5 scoring system in the http://ready.mobi report) to ensure users have a good experience. Website marketing plans, including event planning, public relations activities, and local marketing activities, should be listed in the application documents, which can be downloaded from http://pc.mtld.mobi/switched/reserved.html.
DotMobi will evaluate all applications and sign contracts with successful applicants. The application process will begin on August 20, 2007, with no specified end date.