Release of 1 and 2 Character .Us Domain Names — Neustar Proposes

Short .us country code domain names in the works.

Neustar, the registry that manages the .us top level domain name, is proposing to release available one and two character .us domain names for registration.

In a post on its fresh .us blog, the firm explains that its distribution of one and two character domains will be handled in a matter similar to what it did with .biz domain names:

(1) an RFP round that invites interested registrants to propose specific plans for use and promotion;
(2) an Auction round that offers domains not allocated during the RFP round; and
(3) a First-come, First-served (FCFS) release of any domains not allocated during the RFP or Auction rounds.

A number of two letter .us domain names have by now been allocated to states.

Unlike the .biz release, this one will not require ICANN approval. Instead, Neustar is waiting on approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Separately, Neustar released a proposal to launch s.us as a URL shortener.