With Internationalised Domain Names (IDN) getting closer to becoming a reality, AusRegistry International has announced they have successfully implemented full IDN capability into their existing systems.

IDNs will allow the millions of internet users around the globe to be able to type use internet addresses in their own language. Currently only characters in Roman languages are able to be used in domain names, meaning even non-English characters in European languages are unable to be used in domain names, let alone Arabic, Hebrew and Asian language characters.

The development and management of an IDN-enabled Domain Registry System therefore poses some of the most complex technical, linguistic and policy-related challenges to Top Level Domain (TLD) Regulators and Registry operators.

“I’m delighted that the AusRegistry International team have successfully implemented full IDN capability into our existing systems,” said Adrian Kinderis, CEO of AusRegistry International, registry operator for the .au (Australia) and .ae (United Arab Emirates) country code Top Level Domains.

“There is an amazing amount of complexity involved in this project and our team have come up with innovative solutions without sacrificing the excellent performance standards that our systems have achieved over many years.”

With ICANN set to implement a Fast Track process to allow existing country-code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) managers to create IDN versions of their ccTLD, using local language scripts, this move by AusRegistry International makes them well-positioned to service both emerging market segments. ICANN is expected to begin approving new IDN-based generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) in 2010.

“We see IDNs as one of the most important additions to the internet in its short history and we are proud to be the global leaders in developing our technologically superior Registry Software for use by non-English speakers around the world. This achievement further enhances AusRegistry International’s reputation as a leader within the global Domain Name Registry Services marketplace.”

AusRegistry International has overcome these challenges and recently became one of the first organisations globally to complete the implementation of an IDN-enabled Registry System, based on the IDNA2008 draft standard. This implementation enables AusRegistry International to provide an industry-leading solution that allows high levels of configurability to address linguistic complexities, while maintaining the existing functionality, ease of management and high system performance standards currently utilised by AusRegistry International and their clients around the world.

More information on AusRegistry International is available from their website at:
ausregistry.com