World · India Bureau
Telegram Seeks Dedicated .gram Internet Domain for User Addresses
The messaging platform has formally applied to ICANN for its own top-level domain, a move that could enable personalised web addresses for its global user base. If approved, the .gram domain would allow Telegram users to establish branded online identities.
LSN India ·
Telegram has submitted an application to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) seeking approval for the .gram top-level domain, according to regulatory filings. The request marks a significant step by the messaging service to expand its digital ecosystem beyond the application itself.
Under the proposed framework, Telegram usernames could be converted into second-level domains, enabling users to create customised web addresses such as "username.gram." This would provide account holders with branded online identities tied directly to their Telegram presence, potentially enhancing personal or business branding opportunities.
The .gram domain application follows a broader trend of technology companies seeking dedicated internet infrastructure. If ICANN approves the request, Telegram would join a growing list of organisations operating their own sponsored top-level domains tailored to specific communities or platforms.
The approval process through ICANN, the non-profit body responsible for managing the internet's domain name system, typically involves technical review and community consultation. The timeline for a decision on Telegram's application remains unclear, as ICANN evaluates numerous domain requests annually based on established criteria and potential public interest implications.