# Online Business Cards .Tel Domains Make Phone Books and Paper Self-Promotion Obsolete By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-01-26 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tel-domain References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/tel-domain-global-online-phonebook.php) & [telnic.org](http://www.telnic.org/individual-landing.html) Move over, unwanted phone books and out-of-date business cards: There's a new way to disseminate your contact information, and it's called the .tel domain. By purchasing a .tel domain, you can create a [digital version](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/linkee) of all of the ways to contact you, accessible via an easy-to-remember Web address. The .tel domains aren't available for average Jills and Janes yet, however. According to TreeHugger, applications are only being accepted from trademarked businesses as of right now; on February 3, advance registrations will be accepted, and on March 23, domains will be available for everyone. What are the benefits of a .tel domain? Unlike business cards, updating information like titles, [phone numbers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dial-anyone) and companies is a snap. And unlike phone books, your directory listing is easily accessible, even on the go. The images above were captured from the bare-bones [Justin.tel](http://justin.tel/) example. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 46% | Activity: 59% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Digital Contact Information:** The .tel domain presents an opportunity to innovate by providing an easily accessible centralized digital version of all contact information. - **Real-time Updating:** The real-time updating feature of .tel domains can be used as a platform to innovate towards more efficient and timely exchange of information. - **Paperless Networking:** The emergence of .tel domains suggests an opportunity to disrupt the traditional paper-based networking process and transition to a more sustainable, virtual method. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Marketing and Advertising:** The .tel domain can be utilized by the marketing and advertising industry to create more effective and dynamic campaigns by enabling direct access to updated digital contact information. - **Technology:** The development and implementation of .tel domains provides an opportunity for the technology industry to contribute to creating a more seamless, digitally integrated world. - **Networking:** The emergence of .tel domains could disrupt the traditional networking industry, creating an opportunity for innovators to create a more efficient, real-time system of exchanging information and establishing meaningful connections. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital Business Card Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-business-cards.md) - [Universal Digital Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hihello.md) - [Digital Networking Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digibusinesscard.md) - [NFC-Enabled Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mobilo-smart-business-card.md) - [Phygital Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moo-paper-cards.md) - [Digital NFC-Enabled Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touchless-nfc-card.md) - [Cutting-Edge Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xcards.md) - [Scannable NFC Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ovou-smart-business-card.md) - [Digital Card Creators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/businesscardgen.md)