.mobi dotMOBI releasing 1 and 2 character domains! ~~ 2 years on

[rupert]

All right, so it's been 2 years since mtld made the exciting announcement that they would be releasing 1 and 2 character .mobi domains on a free, application-only basis.

Here is their original blog post from 2 years ago:

As readers of blog.mobi will likely already know, dotMobi has announced that we're making one character and two character .mobi domains available.

Unlike other domain registries, dotMobi was able to receive ICANN permission to release these domains because we're not selling them. We're making them available for free. Really.

We want these domains to be used for high-quality mobile content that is backed with significant marketing and promotion plans. That's to say, these domains will be made available primarily to companies and brands who will use the domains to drive the adoption of the mobile Web.

This means our process of allocating these domains will be focused on ensuring content to help drive interest in the mobile web and .mobi. There will be no auctions or draws for these names.

But how and when can I get mine?

First, if your company or brand is a likely match for one of these domains, we ask you to complete an expression of interest. This form is not a contract or a reservation nor does it oblige dotMobi to move forward with any responses gathered. It is merely letting us know which are the domains that companies and brands might be interested in and how they might market that name.

Based on that feedback, we will invite selected formal requests for proposals. There is a US$500 non-refundable processing fee for any invitee who then chooses to submit a proposal. (Why a processing fee? The reviewing and subsequent contract work takes time. A lot of time. The fee covers the costs for the personnel working to process each application from beginning to end.)

Today, two years on, a grand total of 6 have so far been allocated:

NV.mobi - Nevada Tourism Commission
24.mobi - News24 (redirects to m.news24.com)
PP.mobi - PaddyPower.com (unsure if this is being used)
EY.mobi - Earnest&Young (redirects to ey.com)
53.mobi - 53.com (redirects to 53.com/mobile)
3.mobi - Three (redirects to three.com)

Also from their original blog post:

Timing? We're open now and we'll keep going until we're done. The idea is to move steadily but actively in getting these domains to the companies who can make best use of them.

At the current pace it will take over 260 years for all L,LL,N,NN's to be allocated! :yell: (and that doesn't even include the 560 unassigned CC.mobi combinations such as d3.mobi etc).


I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this.
Why are there only 6?
Surely after 2 years mtld will have received huge amounts of applications for these short .mobis names?
Could these 6 have really been the only worthwhile applications? 4 of them are not even in use!
Maybe there just isn't much demand for these names?

 

[VanceHedderel]

<<Why are there only 6? Surely after 2 years mtld will have received huge amounts of applications for these short .mobis names? Could these 6 have really been the only worthwhile applications? 4 of them are not even in use! Maybe there just isn't much demand for these names?>>

All of the names listed above are "in use"; a redirect doesn't constitute not being in use.

That said, you may recall dotMobi was acquired by Afilias approximately 11 months ago. Program integration generally takes time with any merger / acquisition and it's no different in this case. Many other issues needed to be handled first, until dotMobi could move onto focused projects like the allocation of .mobi 1- and 2-character names and Premium Names.

I'm happy to say that you will see increased activity around the .mobi 1- and 2-character names as well as .mobi Premium Names in 2011. However, the focus for .mobi 1- and 2-character names will be —*as it has been —*on awarding them to brands for deployment rather than to domain investors or others who will not actively use the domain.

 

[carob]

I'm happy to say that you will see increased activity around the .mobi 1- and 2-character names as well as .mobi Premium Names in 2011.

Activity by whom? You as the company's PR rep?

Or discussion by domainers?

 

[Timewarp]

They probably want to give them out but no one is applying or maybe they are making big demands on people who do.