From 1 December 2008, businesses, organisations and individuals can apply for single-character domain names (SCDNs) such as www.a.sg, www.b.sg, www.c.sg, based on the 26 letters in the English alphabet. The SCDNs join the family of pure numeric domain names released last year, giving businesses, organisations and individuals even more domain name options.

SGNIC is releasing single-character domain names across all seven .sg categories.

Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) General Manager Lim Choon Sai said, "Single-character domain names are expected to be desirable because they are easy to remember and will be rather exclusive. In an increasingly networked global community, and with domain names attached to many businesses and individuals, such a distinctive domain name will enable its owner to stand out, and be very accessible to its audiences."

SGNIC will be releasing the SCDN across all seven .sg categories, namely ".sg", ".com.sg", ".net.sg", ".org.sg", ".gov.sg", ".edu.sg" and ".per.sg". Interested applicants may apply for an SCDN with any of SGNIC's accredited registrars between 1 December 2008 and 9 January 2009.

While the registration is open to all businesses, organisations and individuals, registered trademark holders will have priority over other applicants. Trademark owners have to be registered with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore and a copy of the trademark certificate has to be produced upon application.

The price for each SCDN will be S$20,000. If there are multiple applications for an SCDN, the domain name will be subjected to a bidding process with the starting price of S$20,000.

After the registration period, any unallocated SCDN will be reserved by SGNIC and released again at a later date. For more details, visit http://www.sgnic.sg