The new domain name extension .ME will be released today at 4pm. Image courtesy of LCN.

The new domain name extension .ME will be released today, 17 July, at 4pm – joining the likes of .co.uk and .com.

High numbers of web users are expected at 4pm as people are expected to rush to secure the new .ME domain name extension, according to www.LCN.com, a UK domain registration company.

Mark Boost, Managing Director of www.LCN.com, said: “The possibilities for .ME as a domain name are endless. Individuals who are looking to register .ME domain names to secure their own personal email address, such as john@smith.me will now be able to do so. Businesses will be quick to snap up those of real commercial value, but we’re also anticipating a huge interest from bloggers who want to personalise their websites and make a real statement.”

The .ME country code was originally assigned to Montenegro after it gained its independence in June 2006. But, due to the potential of the worldwide appeal the .ME would have, the government of Montenegro decided .ME would be operated as a generic name space. According to LCN, this decision has created considerable interest in both the personal and corporate blogging community, and the anticipated level of sales for the .ME domain launch is expected to rival that of the .EU launch.

Boost continued: “The race will be on from four o’clock to scoop up the best names – who would have thought such a buzz would be created from a domain name that started life as Montenegro’s country code?”

Open registration for the .ME domain name extension will go live today at 4pm. This public registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, or to register your .ME website name, click here.