Overview
- .walter is a brand gTLD created under ICANN's New gTLD Program.
- It is managed by Sandvik AB and operated in the DNS by the Verisign registry.
- The string was delegated to the DNS Root Zone in May 2015 and is designated as a restricted, brand-specific TLD for the Walter brand.
History
- Application for the string was revealed during New gTLD Reveal Day on 13 June 2012.
- The applied-for string was delegated to the Root Zone in May 2015 (implementation entries note dates in May 2015).
- ICANN lists the TLD as delegated and classifies it as a brand gTLD managed by Sandvik AB.
Usage and Audience
- Primary use: to provide verified online identity for the Walter brand (Walter AG) and related services.
- Intended registrants: Sandvik, Walter, their affiliates and partners.
- Typical purposes outlined by the applicant:
- Websites for Walter’s precision tooling products and services.
- Marketing and brand communications that assure users of authenticity.
- Use of second- and third-level domains within the .walter namespace for product, service and regional sites.
- Context about the brand (from application):
- Walter AG is a German-based tool manufacturer with production in Germany, France, the US, Brazil and China.
- The application highlights Walter’s global customer base and Sandvik group backing as part of the rationale for a controlled brand namespace.
Registration Rules
- .walter operates as a restricted registry under Sandvik AB's control.
- Sandvik may create and control domain spaces; registrations are intended for Sandvik, Walter, affiliates and authorized partners.
- The TLD is positioned to ensure brand authenticity by restricting who may register within the namespace.
SEO and Brand Impact
- The stated mission for .walter is to increase user trust and confidence by eliminating confusion and assuring brand authenticity.
- As a brand gTLD, .walter is intended to strengthen Walter's online identity, improve searchability and provide clearer navigation for customers by centralizing brand-controlled content.
Notable Cases or Examples
- The TLD is explicitly associated with Walter AG (a Sandvik group company) and is part of Sandvik AB's strategy to manage the Walter brand online.
- Registry technical operations are provided by Verisign, while Sandvik AB serves as the registry operator/manager.
Operator
Sandvik AB
Whois
% IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object
domain: WALTER
organisation: Sandvik AB
address: Klarabergsgatan 60
address: Stockholm 111 21
address: Sweden
contact: administrative
name: Project & Process Manager
organisation: Sandvik AB
address: Klarabergsgatan 60
address: Stockholm 111 21
address: Sweden
phone: +442070151717
e-mail: ngtld-sandvik@cscinfo.com
contact: technical
name: Project & Process Manager
organisation: Sandvik AB
address: Klarabergsgatan 60
address: Stockholm 111 21
address: Sweden
phone: +442070151717
e-mail: ngtld-sandvik@cscinfo.com
nserver: A.NIC.WALTER 2001:dcd:1:0:0:0:0:9 37.209.192.9
nserver: B.NIC.WALTER 2001:dcd:2:0:0:0:0:9 37.209.194.9
nserver: C.NIC.WALTER 2001:dcd:3:0:0:0:0:9 37.209.196.9
nserver: X.NIC.WALTER 156.154.172.82 2610:a1:1074:0:0:0:1:82
nserver: Y.NIC.WALTER 156.154.173.82 2610:a1:1075:0:0:0:1:82
nserver: Z.NIC.WALTER 156.154.174.82 2610:a1:1076:0:0:0:1:82
ds-rdata: 11875 8 2 d7e94cbf8078c9b30ac939b8c2e4106c510879b267a0ab93a4cc61ce7b72e193
whois: whois.nic.walter
status: ACTIVE
remarks: Registration information: http://nic.walter
created: 2015-05-14
changed: 2023-11-30
source: IANA
