When we use the internet, it is very common to see domains such as “.pt” or “.com”, among others, at the end of the links we are most used to. The entity that manages this ecosystem is ICANN, which will launch applications in 2026 and looks at Madeira and the Azores as “perfect candidates”.
The consideration is from Theresa Swinehart, senior vice president of the organization. The person in charge was present at the Web Summit, in Lisbon, where she spoke with DN about the work carried out by ICANN (an acronym in English for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).
It is a non-profit entity, which is responsible for coordinating the space that houses all IP addresses available on the Internet, which allows for a single network and internet that spreads throughout the world.
In practice, it makes it possible to obtain a domain by entities (public or private) that are interested in having a domain, in other words, “their own home”, he explains. To do this, they must submit applications by filling out a form that is available online.
For the same purpose, it will be necessary to demonstrate technical capacity (own or through an external contract) to manage the domain in question, as well as the existence of financial sustainability of the organization applying. Obtaining a domain is also subject to payment of 227 thousand dollars (around 197 thousand euros, at the current exchange rate), an amount that corresponds to the cost price, he explains.
“We do not sell” a product or service, he emphasizes, which means that payment is merely the payment of associated expenses.
The idea has already aroused, on the one hand, the interest of large companies on a global scale, in the most varied sectors of the economy (such as Alphabet/Google, Amazon, Toyota, Barclays, Accenture or Sky, among many others). On the other hand, there are also public entities that have already joined (examples are the cities of Berlin and Amsterdam, along with the Basque Country) and, in 2026, will open applications again.
Those responsible do not make estimates, but wink at the Portuguese autonomous regions
Now, in the Portuguese case, the domain “.pt” is an example, which is used by so many national companies, and is also present on the Government website (regardless of changes in that body), for example, whose link ends with “.gov.pt”.
Now, organizations from all over the world will be able to apply for a domain next year. ICANN will launch applications in April 2026 (the last time was in 2012) and, in this regard, “we have no idea how many will apply, because organizations tend to keep this information”, he explains.
Having said that, it is “not possible” to make a prediction about how many may arrive from Portugal (or any other geography). Still, the Autonomous Regions may be candidates of particular interest, explains Theresa Swinehart.
Madeira and the Azores are “great examples” of possible accessions, depending on the differentiating characteristics of the communities themselves. The person responsible recalls factors such as traditions and a sense of belonging that could be the basis of a candidacy that, if accepted, would mean “global recognition”.
Regarding the municipality of Lisbon, the person responsible confesses that she was in conversation with Carlos Moedas, together with other ICANN officials, but ended up not suggesting to the president of the Lisbon City Council the possibility of moving towards its own domain.
ICANN offers a support program for candidates, “for entities that are approved to do so”, in a process that will be open until mid-December. At the same time, there is also the option of creating domains for “language groups that may be interested in having an address in their language”, he explains. She herself gives examples such as Cyrillic, Arabic and Mandarin, which are entitled to a “full experience with the language itself, online”.
Alert for
According to it, there is a risk of the internet becoming fragmented, in part due to restrictions placed by legislation published by various government entities, such as the European Union (EU).
Theresa Swinehart points to the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), published by the EU. “The intention is good, because we all want to have privacy over our data”, but it ends up having a negative effect, as it prevents people from knowing who requested the creation and owns a certain online domain.
“This had a huge impact on journalists and judicial authorities”, he recalls. There is legislation emerging “in various parts of the world”, which reminds us of the need “not to take the internet for granted”, he highlights.
“If we are not careful”, he warns, “it will become fragmented”, which would have harmful effects on the global economy which is, today, more than ever, deeply dependent on the internet. “In the pandemic, when people were isolated”, he recalls, “they could obtain education and health care in an online format”.
The risk that arises is largely due to “policies and regulations that can fragment” the global network, it says. That said, “there are risks with government decisions that may have very good intentions, but have an impact [em parte negativo] in technology”, he says.