Telnic Limited, the registry operator for the new .tel top level domain, announced that a significant number of telecommunications organizations were not only registering their brands for .tel domains but were investigating the .tel as a platform for added-value services themselves.

Numerous operators, including fixed-line, mobile or VoIP companies, including Orange, Vodafone, Hutchison 3G, T-Mobile, Sprint, Virgin Mobile and Skype, have all supported the new communications-focused .tel TLD by securing their brands.

"We'd like to thank those telecommunications providers who've registered their brands for understanding that .tel is not just another top level domain but that instead it provides an innovative and neutral platform for service interoperability," said Khashayar Mahdavi, CEO of Telnic Limited. "Several operators, especially those concerned with VoIP, are moving to become ICANN-accredited registrars in order to use this platform to deliver value-added services to their customers."

Applications from trademark holders are still being taken during the protected Sunrise period until February 2nd 2009, after which time anyone may purchase any available .tel domain in a first come, first served manner.