• What is a premium name?
• Why are there .mobi Premium Names?
• How was the Premium Name list created?
• How are Premium Names allocated?

Q: What is a premium name?

A: A .mobi Premium Name is one of approximately 5,000 frequently searched words and phrases that the dotMobi company (mTLD Top Level Domain Ltd.) holds for allocation via auction and a Request for Proposals (RFP) process rather than through the standard “first come, first served” registration process.

Q: Why are there .mobi Premium Names?

A: When dotMobi was granted its contract by ICANN to administer the .mobi domain, ICANN was aware that the dotMobi company would have a unique role in helping to bring the mobile Web to life. To that end, ICANN allowed dotMobi to reserve these Premium Names and allocate them in a particular manner. The hope was that these frequently searched words and phrases would be used to create unique mobile content rather than simply being purchased and converted into “pay per click” pages.

Q: How was the Premium Name list created?

A: The Premium Name list was created using objective criteria compiled through third-party sources. Although the original compilation was composed primarily of English words and phrases, a subset of these words and phrases was translated into additional core languages. In creating this list, dotMobi sought input and feedback from its Policy Advisory Board (PAB), which also approved the framework that dotMobi followed.

Q: How are Premium Names allocated?

A: dotMobi has made allocation of its Premium Names an ongoing project. Names have been made available via auction and an RFP process. dotMobi continues to investigate allocation processes, and continues to be responsive to market desires while ensuring that any allocation process receives ICANN approval.