Can you have an email address with only the top level domain as the domain part

emailtld

The question title pretty much contains the question by itself, but as an example:

Instead of having an address like bob@example.com(where example is the sub-domain of the TLD com) could you have have an email address like sky@net, where the domain part consists just of net, which also happens to be a TLD?

Best Answer

It is technically possible for the owner of a TLD to add MX records in the TLD zone.

This would allow them to have email addresses like bob@example.

It's, however, not very common to do so and I can only imagine that there are plenty of cases where having such an email address can cause problems (email address validation that doesn't accept such addresses, etc.).

Here's an example of a TLD that currently does have MX records:

tt.                     86400   IN      MX      1 ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.
tt.                     86400   IN      MX      10 ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.

Related Solutions

Can a Top Level TLD Be Created? (.michael Example)

There are various considerations for accepting an application, covered in the guidebook (PDF). Part of the process will involve the application going through several panels, including:

String Similarity Panel – assesses whether a proposed gTLD string is likely to result in user confusion due to similarity with any reserved name, any existing TLD, any requested IDN ccTLD, or any new gTLD string applied for in the current application round. This occurs during the String Similarity review in Initial Evaluation. The panel may also review IDN tables submitted by applicants as part of its work.
DNS Stability Panel – reviews each applied-for string to determine whether the proposed string might adversely affect the security or stability of the DNS. This occurs during the DNS Stability String Review in Initial Evaluation.
Geographical Names Panel – reviews each application to determine whether the applied-for gTLD represents a geographic name, as defined in the Applicant Guidebook. In the event that the string represents a geographic name and requires government support, the panel will review and verify that the documentation provided with the application is from the relevant governments or public authorities and is authentic.
Technical Evaluation Panel – reviews the technical components of each application against the criteria in the Applicant Guidebook, along with proposed registry operations, in order to determine whether the applicant is technically and operationally capable of operating a gTLD registry as proposed in the application. This occurs during the Technical/Operational Reviews in Initial Evaluation, and may also occur in Extended Evaluation if necessary and if elected by the applicant.
Financial Evaluation Panel – reviews each application against the relevant business, financial and organizational criteria contained in the Applicant Guidebook, to determine whether the applicant is financially capable of maintaining a gTLD registry as proposed in the application. This occurs during the Financial Review in Initial Evaluation, and may also occur in Extended Evaluation if necessary and if elected by the applicant.
Registry Services Panel – reviews the proposed registry services in the application to determine if any registry services pose a risk of a meaningful adverse impact on security or stability. This occurs, if applicable, during the Extended Evaluation period.

Anyone can register a TLD, though you'd better own the trademark, and others can file objections to your TLD application. Also, you'll have to be able to operate as a registry.

The costs start at $185,000. From the FAQ to which you linked:

7.2 How much is the evaluation fee? The evaluation fee is estimated at US$185,000. Applicants will be required to pay a US$5,000 deposit fee per application request slot when registering. The US$5,000 will be credited against the evaluation fee. Other fees may apply depending on the specific application path. See the section 1.5 of the Applicant Guidebook for details about the methods of payment, additional fees and refund schedules.
7.3 Are there any additional costs I should be aware of in applying for a new gTLD? Yes. Applicants may be required to pay additional fees in certain cases where specialized process steps are applicable, and should expect to account for their own business start up costs. See Section 1.5.2 of the Applicant Guidebook.
7.5 Are there any ongoing fees once a gTLD is approved by ICANN? Yes. Once an application has successfully passed all the evaluation steps, the applicant is required to sign a New gTLD Agreement (also called Registry Agreement) with ICANN. Under the agreement, there are two fees: (a) a fixed fee of US$6,250 per calendar quarter; (b) and a transaction fee of US$0.25. The latter does not apply until and unless more than 50,000 domain names are registered in the gTLD.

Domain – If I own a domain do I own all of its sub domains

Yes, you own and control the entire namespace below the domain you purchase, because DNS is hierarchical. Creating mail.example.com and blog.example.com is just a matter of adding entries to the DNS zone that you control.

Since you asked about the name. domain, I'll address that specifically: You cited its eligibility requirements and have confused this with domain control. If you aren't eligible to have the domain to begin with, then the point is moot.

In the case of name. and a few other top level domains, it may be valid to register a second-level, third-level or a fourth-level name, depending on that domain's individual eligibility requirements. For instance, us. allows second-level registrations to anyone, but for historical reasons, there exist many second-level registrations corresponding to U.S. states which are registered to state government agencies, and where the third or fourth level is further delegated to agencies within those states.

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Related Solutions

Can a Top Level TLD Be Created? (.michael Example)

Domain – If I own a domain do I own all of its sub domains

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