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ollowing the ICANN’s decision to open web domain names, communications experts predicted that the change could elevate Indonesian identities and increase networking opportunities.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) conference in Singapore on Monday agreed to allowing more imaginative domain names. Instead of .com or .net, new domain names could be .anything.

For example, a restaurant-based domain name could be pitched as burgerking.food or a clothing-based would be clothes.shopping. Major companies would be able to encrypt their names as domain names such as photo.canon, making the web address more original and more innovative.

If successful, this transformation could assist in Indonesia’s global expansion, making the country more open to interacting with other cultures, experts said.

For example, with a more succinct domain name, Indonesian companies could create identities for themselves online, making them more recognizable in other regions.

“The new domain names would allow websites to be more specific in conveying their ideas. Companies would be able to illustrate their visions and it would also be a chance for them to show the world their creativity,” Effendi Ghazali, a communications expert from the University of Indonesia, said.

However, if we are not ready, it could signify an identity crisis for Indonesians, in which a clash between the government, companies and individuals would materialize when trying to market their “brands” to the online world.

According to University of Indonesia sociologist Imam Prasodjo, the only way to create a positive outlook among Indonesian web enthusiasts is by striking a balance between culture and influence.

“There should be international influence in creating an interesting domain name, but at the same time, Indonesians should not forget about their local cultures,” he said.

One possible setback would be when governments or organizations sought similar religious domain names such as .hindu or .muslim, experts said.

Many organizations will have similar topics for their websites and thus will want identical domain names, creating possible clashes and major disputes between themselves.

According to Effendi Ghazali, the introduction of open domain names would not negatively impact Indonesia’s Internet behavior.

“In terms of internet usage, Indonesians are flexible and adjust to any domain names. As long as their websites can develop, they will be happy to move forward,” Effendi said

ICANN’s hefty domain price also means that bigger companies are the targeted buyers, as smaller companies are more likely to stick with the traditional .com domains.

According to ICANN, this would prevent cyber-squatters from taking domain names that they clearly have little interest in using.

The new domain names would be available for auction on January 12, 2012, and ICANN registration would cost US$185,000, with a $25,000 yearly fee.

Experts said corporations should be among the first to register, resulting in domain names ending in well known brand names such as .toyota, .apple or .coke.

Japanese electronics giant Canon, for instance, has already said it plans to apply for rights to use domain names ending with .canon.