Welsh Domain names – .cym
It may soon be possible to register domain names with a .cym suffix specifically for Welsh websites if a campaign backed by assimbly members is successful.
The assembly members believe that such a move would help enhance Welsh culture and identity as .cym addresses wouldn’t be restricted to websites in the welsh language, but could also be used for websites with a welsh interest.
The governing body of domain names ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) will have to be convinced that there is a need for such a suffix first, but if they do businesses and individuals will be able to register their own .cym domain names.
Such a move may well help to unite welsh-speaking communities on the internet, but how will this affect webmasters and website owners in Wales? Should they all rush out and register their domain name with a .cym suffix? Should I, as a welsh based business, rush out and register pixelwave.cym? Probably not as it will take a while before people become familiar with the suffix and .co.uk will still be the generally accepted suffix even for welsh businesses. For those organisations and businesses with a predominantly Welsh customer base though it would be a nice touch for their website, and a way of displaying their Welsh roots and patriotism.
If the .cym suffix becomes available, Pixelwave Web Design will of course be more than happy to aid and advise you in the registration of a welsh domain name.
Update: Oct 2008
Still no news of when the .cym domain name will become available but in August the Assembly Government backed the scheme by providing a £20,000 grant to secure the .cym domain name for Wales. Read the BBC news article…
