ICANN has published the final statistics for its Applicant Support Program (ASP), under which non-profit organizations and some other categories of applicants can get up to 85% off the $227,000 new gTLD application fees. Domain Incite reports that the final number of qualified and confirmed applicants stands at 56 out of 78 applications. Four applications were withdrawn, three applicants were found ineligible for the program, while another 15 were terminated because the applicants failed to complete necessary steps before the August 12 deadline.
The main question rising after the release of the final statistics is whether ICANN has managed to achieve its goal of attracting more applicants from the countries with insufficient representation in the global network. These are primarily the countries of the Global South. Only one application was approved from Latin America and the Caribbean that comprise all the countries in the Western Hemisphere south of the Mexican-US border. The application fit into the micro/small business from a less-developed economy category.
The outcome will likely prompt many questions when ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee meets to analyze the program because Latin America and the Caribbean are usually considered underrepresented online.
Furthermore, there was only one confirmed applicant in the indigenous/tribal people’s organization category. The applicant represents the Asia-Pacific Region which may indicate affiliation with any of the numerous ethnic groups in dozens of countries in the region. Africa showed slightly better results, with discounts provided to six small businesses and one non-profit. Overall, 30 applicants were approved in the Asia-Pacific, almost evenly distributed among commercial and non-profit organizations.
North America accounts for 14 approved applications, with Europe taking four. The final ASP statistics has been published on the ICANN website. Full information about the applicants and the new gTLD they requested will be released in October.
