Another fresh TLD application round within one year?

ICANN wants to open another fresh TLD application round early next year. Is this plausible?

A lot of firms are applying for dot brand top level domains not since they want to right now, but since they think it might be their only chance. At least for the foreseeable future.

But is this the case?

The applicant guidebook states:

ICANN’s goal is to launch subsequent gTLD application rounds as quickly as possible. The exact timing will be based on experiences gained and changes required following this round is completed. The goal is for the next application round to begin within one year of the close of the application submission period for the initial round.

ICANN has committed to reviewing the effects of the Fresh gTLD Program on the operations of the root zone system
following the first application round, and will defer the delegations in a second application round until it is
determined that the delegations resulting from the first round did not jeopardize root zone system security or
stability.

It is the policy of ICANN that there be subsequent application rounds, and that a systemized manner of
applying for gTLDs be developed in the long term.

ICANN may be a little too optimistic here. As Kevin Murphy points out, ICANN has made a lot of commitments to review its program ahead of proceeding with more top level domains.

But the guidebook clearly states a goal of one year following the current application submission period ends. That would be only regarding 14 months from today.

Why is this notable? A number of brands are waiting until the last minute with hopes of getting clarification.