.MOSCOW and .МОСКВА (IDN TLD can be translated “Moscow”) – top-level domains (TLDs) intended for Russian capital. Their implementation will make possible to create web-sites with addresses like WWW.COMPANY.MOSCOW and МУЗЕИ.МОСКВА (IDN domain name that can be translated as “MUSEUMS.MOSCOW”).

Such websites will be definitely associated with Russian capital, and finally it will help to strengthen recognition of the city in the Internet.

For example, TLD .MOSCOW could be used for websites about tourist opportunities in Moscow, while IDN TLD .МОСКВА might be a good place for web resources of the local government.

By applying for top-level domains Moscow will join to the biggest cities of the world – London, New York, Paris, Berlin and some others that also have plans to obtain their own TLDs.

.MOSCOW and .МОСКВА implementation project was initiated in 2010 by RU-CENTER, the leading Russian domain name services provider. In 2011 realization of the project was entrusted to the Foundation for Assistance for Internet Technologies and Infrastructure Development (FAITID). FAITID is non-commercial organisation that will allow to involve all interested parties in the process of .MOSCOW and .МОСКВА implementation and further development. Representatives of the Federal governmental bodies as well as Moscow government, the local Internet community and public organizations are invited to participate in the Foundation management.

At the moment FAITID is preparing the application for the top-level domains. According to the plans in the beginning 2012 it will be submitted to ICANN. The project is a part of dotCities association that unites initiative groups working on implementation of city TLDs.

The idea of .MOSCOW and .МОСКВА introduction is supported by Moscow government. Also more than 17 000 Internet users left their signatures in support of the project.