ICANN is preparing to filter out half of the applications for new domains.

ICANN estimates that approximately half of the applications for new top-level domains under the New gTLD program will be rejected. A total of approximately 2,000 applications were submitted. The first wave of new domains will include approximately 1,000 new domains in the internet's root domain zone.

Over the next six weeks, ICANN plans to finalize the process for adding new root domains. Concurrently, it plans to hold discussions with major domain registrars regarding the domain space expansion process.

ICANN had previously planned to use the Digital Archery Contest to determine which domains would be delegated first, but later abandoned this plan.

ICANN currently has no methodology for determining the order in which new domains are delegated. Several alternatives are currently being developed and undergoing expert evaluation.

According to ICANN's current plan, the application evaluation will take 11-12 months, after which a summary table with preliminary delegation results will be published. This stage is expected to be completed by June or July of next year.