The .SO domain will be able to compete with .CO and .COM

On November 1, free registration of domain names in the Somali .SO domain zone began. The country's authorities decided to open the domain to the public back in April 2009. The Sunrise period, which is available to trademark owners, is currently underway.

Interestingly, the technical registrar of the domain will be the Japanese company GMO Registry, and the administrator will be the country's Ministry of Communications and Telecommunications.

GMO Registry has pledged to donate a portion of its operating profits from domain registrations to provide humanitarian aid to the country's residents, primarily children.

The .SO domain is unpopular among Somali residents due to the country's low standard of living. This explains the authorities' decision to open the domain to free registration. Meanwhile, experts believe this domain may be an interesting alternative to the .CO and .COM domains.