[spline]

Momentum Grows for .tel in the UK

"Telnic Limited (telnic.tel), the registry operator for new
communications-focused .tel top level domain (TLD), today announced that as
momentum for .tel domains grow in the UK, BT Business is set to launch an
advertising campaign across Bloomberg Television and a new website at
http://bt.com/tel."

Telnic seems to be very focused on making .tel a success and I think this will have a huge positive impact on the value of .tel domains.

With the right kind of marketing you can sell anything and .tel has a couple of advantages though some naysayers cant recognize them.

They are easy to use, require no additional server cost, no need to put time on layout of things etc.

[hasseily]

@CDM: Please don't use the Namepros forums as a support forum, for the obvious reasons.
Use the official Telnic user forum: .tel Community Forum - Powered by vBulletin
Thanks!

[marynorth21]

Originally Posted by cobainer

Why .tel? 3 - .tel communications content is very easy to maintain, and can be updated at significantly shorter intervals than .com informational content. This gives search engines more incentive to re-index .tel content at shorter intervals as well. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/561820-the-official-tel-discussion-thread.html

This is true because .tel domains are more shorter to .com domains.

[FrenchTel]

"With a .tel, BT Business customers will now be able streamline their contact information by giving out a name or branded contact point rather multiple addresses and numbers. Additionally, this can be accessed from any device and even dialed directly by some phones. The vision of people dialing names and not numbers in future is one that BT subscribes to and, as such, .tel is an important offering for our customers."

Carl di Cicco, Head of eCommerce for BT Business

[plaggypig]

I love BT's new 60 second edit - it's retained all the subtle humour of the original. The most interesting piece of editing happens in the closeup scene where Emma types ben.tel into her Blackberry - it's cut in half around the point where Ben writes ".tel". This makes the message link up more tightly for a TV audience IMHO

Worth mentioning that BT must really believe in .tel for them to back it with their brand - a decision like that would not have been taken lightly.

The world's oldest telecommunications company totally gets it. Kudos to BT

[mjbenterprises]

Looks like some big business is starting to "get" it...This is just the tip of the iceberg... .tel is an ext that was built on Utility, meeting a need that was already there... I think domainers are going to be the last to understand the potential power of this TLD, it seems businesses are already starting to get it, because it meets their needs, and serves a definite ultility....

.tel wasn't created to be just another TLD, it was created because the function it provides is needed by big businesses all over the world...

[plaggypig]

It's been a whole year since Justin and Henri gave the .tel presentation at DEMOfall - well worth another watch!

[mactel]

I have given tips, advice, instructions about advertising within .tel, as well as about integrating .tel into a existing website, and nobody has given me a feedback. Does this not interest you? Is it too dificult? Where is the problem?

I often have the feeling, that many people are posting comments, but that we are not really communicating with eatch other...



By the way: FrenchTel, please PM me. Thanks.

[DubDubDubDot]

Originally Posted by plaggypig

And I think you'll regret failing to appreciate what .tel is capable of, rather than constantly opining about how it isn't just another vanilla TLD for websites

Gotta call you out on this one.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820

We can't appreciate what .tel is capable of until we see just ONE thing that .tel can do that .com can't do. Maybe you could give us one example.

[FrenchTel]

Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot

We can't appreciate what .tel is capable of until we see just ONE thing that .tel can do that .com can't do. Maybe you could give us one example.

What about SOS1.tel?

[DubDubDubDot]

Originally Posted by steveteva

I'm on a big project for a heavy website not .tel (database driven, maps, advertising system, tips, map tours...) but find that the .tel is really complementary to that big site because it is lighter (no pics, videos, map, ratings, community, directory,....) compare to my heavy website still under construction, faster and mobile device friendly.

I would be curious to know what made you go with the "Click here for site.tel for our mobile friendly version." plan instead of simply auto redirecting to m.site.com like all of the major sites are in the process of doing.

Maybe your answer will convince some of us that big companies, the ones with the money to pump up the value of domains, will drop their mobile sites at m.site.com and make the switch to site.tel.

Originally Posted by steveteva

I've "develop" bikesharing .tel witch list worldwide bike sharing places. You can try for UK it work but other cities are still under construction and some are done while posting this. As you see, .tel is perfect for these kind of project. Also some domainers here says you can't monetize with .tel, they are wrong, use your brain, all you need is great ideas, I will put ads from bike shop companies in the local area within same directory. You can see an example at Canada, Montreal.

Seems like a waste of time, and I'm not even factoring in the .tel. Google reports a 1,900 global search volume for bike sharing. A Google search turns up nothing but news stories and activist sites. Developing this niche, on any TLD, is highly speculative. I just don't see the immediate income stream.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820

---------- Post added at 06:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:27 PM ----------

Originally Posted by FrenchTel

What about SOS1.tel?

This is a novelty site built by a domainer for other domainers.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820

Furthermore, this is a breeze to set up on .com. Any noob can create this on .com after studying HTML for less than 20 minutes.

[steveteva]

Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot

I would be curious to know what made you go with the "Click here for site.tel for our mobile friendly version." plan instead of simply auto redirecting to m.site.com like all of the major sites are in the process of doing. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820 Maybe your answer will convince some of us that big companies, the ones with the money to pump up the value of domains, will drop their mobile sites at m.site.com and make the switch to site.tel. Seems like a waste of time, and I'm not even factoring in the .tel. Google reports a 1,900 global search volume for bike sharing. A Google search turns up nothing but news stories and activist sites. Developing this niche, on any TLD, is highly speculative. I just don't see the immediate income stream.

1st question/ answer: the m.site.com will required me more work and could be heavy because of pict.... .tel save me lot of time so I can focus my work on the website.

2nd question / answer: you are totally wrong saying that it's a waste of time... I'm not a beginner in business, do you think I'm doing this website because as a hobby? I have a business plan and study market and a company behind. My project is different than the .tel because it focus on a french market (france) and bike sharing is famous in France, it's not activist, news... but real business all over the place so I know what I'm doing. Also my domain name is bike sharing in french dot fr so I don't care about U.S market witch is a smaller community network but will use .tel as complementary for worldwide users, in europe and else Green transportation is something common when travel to countries, what a better way to discover Paris with a bike rather than taxi, bus... Take a Velib and have fun. There are over 25 places in France where bike sharing is not project but real.

So before you open your mouth to put down any .tel believer, get infos first.

[FrenchTel]

Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot

This is a novelty site built by a domainer for other domainers.

Well, I built it, I'm not a domainer and I certainly hope it can be useful not only for domainers ...
Anyway, none of the people who provided me with feedback about SOS1.tel, including the Swiss Federal Government and the Italian Automobile Club, were domainers.

Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot

Furthermore, this is a breeze to set up on .com. Any noob can create this on .com after studying HTML for less than 20 minutes.

You're right on this one, it would be very easy to set up a similar site on .com.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820
But it would be far slower, and slowness is the last thing you want when looking for an emergency phone number ...

[steveteva]

Originally Posted by FrenchTel

Well, I built it, I'm not a domainer and I certainly hope it can be useful not only for domainers ... Anyway, none of the people who provided me with feedback about SOS1.tel, including the Swiss Federal Government and the Italian Automobile Club, were domainers. You're right on this one, it would be very easy to set up a similar site on .com. But it would be far slower, and slowness is the last thing you want when looking for an emergency phone number ...

And YES sos1.tel is usefull, better than any .com... only app for mobile phone can maybe be better but not need as .tel is free for users.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820

I see you name is frenchtel and don't know if you're in France but if yes you maybe can confirm to DubDubDubDot that bike sharing is not "activist or just news" in France :
Lyon (Velov) , Rennes, La rochelle, montpellier, aix (v hello), paris (Velib), marseille, besancon.......

[plaggypig]

Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot

Gotta call you out on this one. We can't appreciate what .tel is capable of until we see just ONE thing that .tel can do that .com can't do. Maybe you could give us one example.

If we're shown a .tel a domain we can instantly recognise what it is (a communications hub), and since we know what it is, we know what we can do with it. Simples. This assurance also happens to be the reason why the TelProxy is designed to offer a consistent representation of records via HTTP.

Could you use .com in a comparable way to .tel, i.e. set up a communications hub with all the same advantages, in literally minutes, for just $15 /year? The registration price of a .tel domain is all inclusive - you don't have any other upfront or ongoing costs. You also benefit from an ecosystem of apps and services built around .tel.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820

I know I'd be a fool to hope that answers your question, you wouldn't be satisfied with anything I have to say

[ecigs.net]

Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot

Gotta call you out on this one. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820 We can't appreciate what .tel is capable of until we see just ONE thing that .tel can do that .com can't do. Maybe you could give us one example.

You still don't get it DubDubDubDot, TEL isn't competing with COM. It has a different purpose.

It is like comparing a Car to a Bicycle. A car is faster, sharper, sleeker and more desirable in just about every way possible. Nevertheless, bikes have their place in the world too. Anyone can afford a bike, they don't need a lot of work. Maintenance costs are low. They don't need gasoline or to be serviced or a special license to drive one.

This is exactly how it is for COM and TEL. COM is a nice car and TEL is a bike. You might not like to ride a bike, but it is useless to hang out at a bike shop and try to convince everyone that bikes suck.

[steveteva]

Originally Posted by bionichead

You still don't get it DubDubDubDot, TEL isn't competing with COM. It has a different purpose. It is like comparing a Car to a Bicycle. A car is faster, sharper, sleeker and more desirable in just about every way possible. Nevertheless, bikes have their place in the world too. Anyone can afford a bike, they don't need a lot of work. Maintenance costs are low. They don't need gasoline or to be serviced or a special license to drive one. This is exactly how it is for COM and TEL. COM is a nice car and TEL is a bike. You might not like to ride a bike, but it is useless to hang out at a bike shop and try to convince everyone that bikes suck.

Excellent explaination, I coudn't heard better. Congrat. Will send you a positive feedback.

[plaggypig]

BT Tradespace has made a couple of .tel case studies with small businesses that you might enjoy watching:

1. The 'Found It At Last' bookshop

2. 2 & Fro Taxis

[Ms Domainer]

*

Well, it's been real, guys.

I'm getting ready for my extended stay abroad, I have renewed all my .tels (and other domains as well) that would have renewed while I'm away, and I'll be taking a hiatus from domaining (other than quick checks here and there). I may lurk a bit here, but I'm no longer going to post in this thread, given that I have said all I'm going to say about .tel. I've heard the pros and cons, but I haven't heard much that is new, so it's time to move on to other to more informative conversations and adventures.

Bye!



*

[mactel]

@ DubDubDubDot:
Your quote:
"...just ONE thing that .tel can do that .com can't do. Maybe you could give us one example.":

Answer:

.tel is focused on communications, not content, and it can be accessed in the right format across all browsers and many devices without needing to open a browser.

Furthermore, .tel information can bypass the Web completely and be accessed through applications directly on PCs or mobile devices.

A .tel also supports search engine optimization out of the box, as all of the information is stored as machine-readable, standards-based records with descriptions, so Google can index it and understand it better than a traditional Web site.

.tel domains are designed to compliment your existing website. By linking the two you can improve your position on search engines like Google.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820

.tel is the first domain that allows you to publish information to the Web, from any device, without the need for a Web site. .tel information can even be accessed without having to open a Web browser.

Some are referring to this as the "Webless Web," because it requires no ongoing fees for Web hosting, no Web coding, and can be changed at a moment's notice to be updated.

As a .tel address is not a Web site, people accessing the information over mobile devices will get to it as quickly as their Internet connection allows.

.Tel content is fully structured and published on the domain name server (DNS) rather than the World Wide Web. That makes it easily read and indexed by search engine crawlers, strengthening your presence in search results. This important SEO tool can help drive traffic to your Web site and may result in increased sales.

The technology behind .tel allows for the data to load much quicker than other domains including .com making it ideal for pocket internet surfing devices.

Whenever you type Henri Asseily you get data, which is not hosted by any server, but is contained in the domain name server itself.

The most interesting (and useful) difference between .tel and other gTLD's (generic top-level domains) is in the DNS. From the Telnic FAQ, "...the value of a .tel domain lies with the ability to host personal (or corporate) contact information directly in the DNS, which can then be universally accessible. This stands in contrast to the typical use of the DNS for other TLDs, in which the DNS only provides a mapping between domain names and IP addresses."

When a user needs to look-up the email address or phone number of an individual or business, the software can simply run a DNS query against a .tel to retrieve the latest contact information.

The .tel concept:
It's clearly an innovative and unique way to let folks stay in touch with one another using some relatively unexplored features of DNS. For the most part, I'd describe .tel as a cross between a typical DNS and WHOIS query. Unfortunately, .tel won't be as useful as I'd like until more users and software platforms adopt it as an information-sharing standard. Given the abundance of free social networking services, it may be hard to convince most users to pay an annual fee to keep their contact information online. However, if a large online player like Google begins to adopt .tel as a standard in many of its services, .tel domains could become valuable and useful tools.

So Bob the window cleaner who previously used the Yellow Pages communicating to a local audience can suddenly reach a far broader audience and have a Web presence with a .tel address.

The best part is he can do all of this without incurring the sometimes significant fees associated with designing and maintaining a Web site.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820

With .tel if Bob drops his cell phone into his bucket of water he can quickly switch his .tel address to point people to another number and not lose any customers.

Similarly, a large company that needs to get an emergency number out quickly to manage a crisis or product recall can use.tel to publish information on the Internet within seconds, complying with best practices in corporate communications and disclosure.

Search engines already visit the DNS to look up records. In fact, it's already quicker for these engines to read all of the information from the DNS which is formatted in a way that they understand than information residing on a traditional Web site.

As .tel is structured information with labels in each record, it's Googlejuice. And, of course, it can provide another link to drive better discovery and linkage to your existing Web properties.

The point about .tel is that it is a whole new way of using technology that has the potential to grow very fast.

A .tel domain allows you to create a personalised or branded online presence without needing to secure hosting, develop web pages or purchase email accounts.

[DubDubDubDot]

Originally Posted by plaggypig

If we're shown a .tel a domain we can instantly recognise what it is (a communications hub), and since we know what it is, we know what we can do with it. Simples. This assurance also happens to be the reason why the TelProxy is designed to offer a consistent representation of records via HTTP.

The same "content assurance" argument can be made for .jobs, .travel, .aero, .pro, .biz and .museum.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820

It is not a strong example of something that .com can't do. If it were, those TLD's would be as huge in their respective industries as you think .tel is going to be.

---------- Post added at 02:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:10 AM ----------

Originally Posted by plaggypig

Could you use .com in a comparable way to .tel, i.e. set up a communications hub with all the same advantages, in literally minutes, for just $15 /year?

From a domaining perspective, what does the person who hasn't set up a .com mean to us? The .tel pumpers see a potential market willing to pay good money to get something online. I see a market that has procrastinated getting online so long that they aren't going to be very motivated to pay hundreds or even thousands for a .tel domain.

This is 2009. Getting a .com up is not that difficult anymore. Back during the boom era of the internet when .tel was first applied for, there were not as many options for laymen to get their info online. .tel was actually a pretty decent idea for that era of the internet.

As for setting up .tel functions on a .com in minutes, anyone with a basic understanding of HTML can do it. If you are talking about those without the skills, GoDaddy's WebSite Tonight feature (free with domains) provides a lot more flexibility than .tel. I would definitely recommend that route to someone before I told them to buy a .tel.

[hasseily]

Let me answer this ".tel vs. .com" issue once again, and let's hope it doesn't come up for another 50 pages.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820

Q: Can you do everything that .tel does in a .com?

A: YES

=====

Q: What does it take to do everything that .tel does in a .com?

A: If you wanted to do everything .tel does, you'd have to do the following:

- Build a front-end to manage NAPTR, TXT and LOC records in your .com domains
- Create some kind of friending system where you can easily exchange encryption keys so you can publish securely your encrypted NAPTR records
- Convince everyone that you've got NAPTR, TXT and LOC records in your .com domains, and give them the specs to parse them properly
- Somehow get everyone else with a .com to adopt your specs so that apps that are written can be used for every .com that publishes NAPTR records.
- Host your own DNS server with this data, or find a DNS hosting service that allows for pretty large zones and any type of zone record

Now if you do NOT do that, and simply look for a way to replicate the .tel web front-end (called the TelProxy), here's what you'd need:

- Create or apply some kind of authentication system so you can securely show only what you want to show to different people
- Build a template with a call to a backend DB to generate the pages. (you probably wouldn't want to build those pages manually and have to change them whenever you want to modify the data)
- Host this stuff or get it hosted somewhere

=====

Q: Why would I want to replicate .tel functionality when I could just replicate the Web front-end?

A: Because replicating the Web front-end does not allow you to build a very fast, decentralized lookup system for communication, where a single static name resolves to multiple communication channels automatically.
Using a .tel-enabled application, one can call a name. Or email a name. Or find an rss feed for a name. Without needing to know anything else, and without ever needing to make sure the numbers, emails or urls are up-to-date.

[hasseily]

*** dupe deleted ***

[mactel]

Am I missing something, DubDubDubDot?:

I have both: .tel, as well as .com...

Please give us a breack. It looks like you are missing the point about .tel, or that you are not interested in seeing it, and having a deeper look, inside "of the magic of DNS".

Try it out: Get your self a dubdubdubdot.tel, and see how long it takes, till your dot tel is ranked in Google, page one, right at the top. And that you will be found in the web, as "DubDubDubDot", with your contact information, etc.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820

And then link your .tel to your .com, and see, how it will boost your business with your .com website.

In a nut shell: That is what .tel is all about.

Why not just accept and appreciate it as a useful SEO tool, etc., and give it a try and a chance. It is still very new. - How did .com look like, after about six months? How long did it need, for .com to be what it is today?

Give as much time to .tel to improove, and it will be at least as much appreciatet as the .com.

But, as we try to explain: .tel and .com are two different pairs of shoes.

Cheers, my dear friend, DubDubDubDot, and take care. You are ok, and so is .tel, as well.

Have a nice day.

Peace.

Peace with you and .tel, and the community, here.

[FrenchTel]

Originally Posted by steveteva

I see you name is frenchtel and don't know if you're in France but if yes you maybe can confirm to DubDubDubDot that bike sharing is not "activist or just news" in France : ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=561820 Lyon (Velov) , Rennes, La rochelle, montpellier, aix (v hello), paris (Velib), marseille, besancon.......

Yes, I'm French Steve (nobody's perfect ...) and yes bike sharing becomes to be very popular in France, especially in Paris with "Velib".
A couple of figures about Velib:
- 20,000 bikes
- 1,450 stations
- 42 million users since mid-2007