The company encourages all trademark holders to protect their brand name by registering their .TEL domains.

Netfirms Inc., a domain name registrar, today announced the availability of .TEL domain names and acceptance of applications during the Sunrise period. The company says that the trademark holders worldwide will want to apply in order to protect their brand names.

It articulates that registration for registered trademark holders is open during the Sunrise period (December 3 - February 2), also it will offer this top level domain for $379. The company further states that this fee includes .TEL Sunrise application fee, verification by Deloitte, .TEL registration and hosting for three years. All .TEL domain names are available on a first come, first serve basis, it adds.

"With anticipated high demand for this unique domain name," says Thomas Savundra, President & CEO of Netfirms Inc., "We encourage all trademark holders to immediately register their 'brandname.tel' domains not only to protect their brand names but also to take advantage of having an online business card with all of their contact information under one domain name."

"Netfirms is an experienced registrar and we're pleased that they've joined the launch at this time to help secure their .TEL domains for their customers. With the additional benefits that .TEL domains provide without further investment, businesses are realizing that .TEL is the future of branded communications," said Justin Hayward, Communications Director, Telnic Limited.