It’s perhaps one of the biggest changes to the internet landscape in Wales since the launch of the worldwide web in 1989.
And the National Assembly for Wales is taking a leading role in that revolution, by being one of the ‘early adopters’ of the new .Wales/.Cymru domain names.
The National Assembly for Wales’s Presiding Officer will join Ieuan Evans of the UK domain name registrar Nominet and the Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates AM, to announce the early adopters at the Royal Welsh Showground on 21 July.
“These new domains will allow institutions, businesses and individuals across Wales to identify themselves on the internet, as having a uniquely Welsh online presence,” Dame Rosemary said.
“In the world of marketing and promotion, a ‘brand’ is essential to differentiate organisations and businesses.
“Having a Welsh brand domain name will be of enormous help to the private and public sectors in Wales.
“The benefits to the promotion of a truly bilingual society in Wales should also not be overlooked and the creation of the .cymru domain is a clear opportunity to promote the Welsh language and Welsh cultural interests, on the internet.
“I am pleased that the National Assembly for Wales has taken a leading role in this development, by agreeing to be one of the ‘early adopters’ of the new domain names.
“As soon as technically possible after the official release of the domain names, the Assembly will change its domain name to cynulliad.cymru/assembly.wales.”
The new domain names for the early adopters will go live in the autumn with wider public availability being rolled out from St David’s Day 2015.
Ieuan Evans, Chair of Nominet’s Wales Advisory Group, said, “We are thrilled to announce that these key Welsh bodies will be switching their domain names to .cymru and .wales as soon as possible.
“The domain names provide an excellent opportunity for Wales to make its mark on the digital world and it’s excellent that these significant bodies will be joining us on this journey and leading the way for other businesses and organisations across Wales.”