The domain names offered by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Media have caught the attention of global brands; namely, the web address suffixes of".istanbul" and ".ist." According to general manager Bekir Kaplan, global brands including BMW, Versace, WhatsApp and more will soon obtain domain names, along with other global brands operating in Istanbul, and we will soon be able to obtain websites using these IP addresses. Kaplan said that the first to apply for a domain was the BBC, followed by BMW, Versace and WhatsApp. Kaplan added that it is not unusual to see such internationally renowned names on the list, saying, "These applications were launched on Jan. 27, with our Mayor Kadir Topbaş at the inaugural meeting. They have since attracted global firms that want to be associated with Istanbul, which has become an international brand in-and-of itself."

The new domain names - .istanbul and .ist - will improve Istanbul's advantages in the trade and tourism sectors by putting them on a global scale. Kaplan said they are targeting 100,000 users by the end of 2016.

The number of applications having been received until today stands at around 300, and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's white desk phone line 153 is ringing constantly with calls from new applicants. Applications for domain name registrations and renewals are not performed by the white desk, so calls that are received are directed to the relevant registration center by operators. "Brand representatives that want to apply for registration to the .istanbul and .ist domain names can apply at authorized registration centers and through operators as indicated on the website, www.nic.istanbul," said Kaplan.