Welsh firms call for national Web identity

A Welsh Web design company is calling for the country to have its own domain name, instead of using the existing .uk tag.

The company, Citypages, has already written to the MD of Nominet, but did not get a direct response. However, the Internet service provider (ISP) did issue a statement stating it is not going to cater for Wales individually.

A Welsh TV station featured the campaign last Tuesday and received over 50 email messages supporting the move. The next step involves writing to local MPs and UK trade secretary, Peter Mandelson and setting up a online forum.

Proposed domain names include .wa and .ukw, but more important than the name is the "recognition of the country", according to Alan Clark, joint MD at Citypages. He added: "I can't believe we have been supplying schools with computers to encourage pupils to use the Internet and yet Wales is not recognised on it."

Phil Bullen, proprietor of Welsh company, Bullen's Fine Cigars, claimed it would have been nice to have the option of a Welsh domain name. He said: "The change of domain name would give us more identity as a country."

The online cigar seller said the .uk ending is an asset to worldwide business, but said he would prefer his company to be recognised as Welsh within the UK.

Citypages designed the Bullen's Fine Cigars Web site, at www.cigars-direct.co.uk.