Telnic, the UK-based registry operator for the new .tel top level domain, yesterday confirmed that Baidu Europe, the Netherlands-based automation and Web design solutions organisation has secured the rights to the baidu.tel domain name in the trademark protected Sunrise period.

The Sunrise period for .tel domain registry will close in less than two weeks, on 2 February. Thereafter, Landrush begins when any individual or company can purchase any available .tel domain.

Utilises IP infrastructure

Paulien Wiertsema, marketing director at Baidu Europe, said: "Our baidu.tel domain will be the contact point for all our current contact information, including telephone, fax, address, voice over Internet protocol/Skype, SMS, e-mail and instant messaging information.

"Baidu Europe wants to take advantage of the IP infrastructure and emerging VoIP to link various pieces of contact data to an easy-to-remember name like baidu.tel. We also believe that the Baidu.tel domain name will generate advertising and sales revenue for us."