As of today, the internet has a new kind of domain. ICANN has approved the sale and distribution of .tel Top level domains. These domains provide a centralized point of contact, which marks the first kind of domain name that behaves differently than simple website mapping.

In fact, the .tel domain name introduces the concept of a centralized “yellow pages” concept to the domain system allowing for mobile devices, as an example, to also map technology into the .tel domain system. In theory, the .tel system would serve as a global “directory lookup” for publicly accessible contact information.

.tel domains are available today for official trademarked companies (yes, that means you have to have a trademark registered with the Trademark Office or comparable official central government agency) for a price of $399/yr. General availability will be on Feb 3, for a premium marked up price of $149/yr before settling at $19.99/yr on March 24.

Network Solutions is one of 100 accreditted .tel registrars. Other options, in the interest in open competition, is Domain Monster and eNom, Inc.