i-DNS launches multilingual domain name registration

Cyber News Service

CHENNAI: Singapore-based i-DNS.net International Pte Ltd is introducing its International Domain Name System (i-DNS) in India, which will enable the registering of multilingual domain names. i-DNS, a spin-off from the National University of Singapore, is a technology that was developed by a research team at the University. With an initial focus on Tamil Nadu, the technology is to be made available in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in the next stage.

The total outlay for the project has been fixed at US $5 million, which is being funded by a US-based venture capitalist, General Atlantic Partners LLC (which holds 50 percent stake in the company). i-DNS has appointed Makkal Solutions 2000 as the main domain name registrar with Softview Computers and Langscape as the sub-registrars for Tamil Nadu. The company is looking to appoint three sub-registrars in each state in India. "The main purpose would be to enable people to register their domain names in regional languages which would be beneficial to the non-English speaking audience," said S. Maniam, Head, Business Development, i-DNS.

i-DNS plans to set up four servers in India for the purpose. "Considering the slow download speed and the high population, we feel that the need for installing four servers is justified," said Maniam. The company is targeting Internet Service Providers (ISPs), domain name registrars, content developers and certain government agencies for the iDNS project. i-DNS has already made arrangements with Satyam Infoway to install its software on the Satyam server. Talks are on with Wipro, VSNL and Dishnet.

The software patch is to be made available as a free download for the ISPs, which will enable users to type in the domain name in languages like Tamil or Marathi. "With bilingual and multilingual keyboards being introduced in the market, it will surely enhance the need for this kind of technology," said S. Senthil Nathan, CEO, Langscape. "We expect close to 3 million Indian users to avail of this facility, with 100,000 domain registrations taking place in the next one year. Our revenue would be to the tune of US$ 15 per registration," said Maniam. The technology has already been introduced in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand with facilities to register domain names in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German etc.