The New Global Directory (.tel)

There's a new top level domain name (the part of the domain name that is the ".com", or ".net") and it's a .tel domain name. it serves as a digital calling card for your corporate (or personal) information. .tel is different from a regular domain name in a few ways.

According to Telnic, the company managing the .tel domain name, when you input a traditional domain name, such as www.ibm.com, into your browser, it queries the Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS replies with an IP Address, 129.42.18.103. Then your browser uses the IP address to locate IBM’s website.

When you input a .tel domain, such as lowell.tel, into your web browser or mobile phone browser, it queries the DNS. The DNS does not return an IP Address as with other domains. Rather, it returns the contact information and keywords that you choose to store directly in the DNS. You can then click on one of the contact details provided(telephone, email, skype, etc…) and be immediately connected.

Having a .tel domain name means that customers and prospective customers going to your .tel address from their cell phones can more easily get your contact information as the .tel information is perfectly formatted for cell phones. Or you could setup a special .tel domain for voting or surveys!