Internet surfers will be able to recognize Web sites specifically designed for mobile phone use. According to Reuters, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has approved the new ".mobi" suffix, which will be introduced alongside the popular ".com" and other top-level domain names.

The first Web sites for mobile devices, which will be fit for a small screen and limited memory and bandwidth, will be ready in 2006.

Mobile Web services will also use geographic information to take advantage of the changing location of a mobile device, for instance to find the nearest hospital, ICANN Chairman Vint Cerf said in a conference call.

The new domain name was requested by a group of powerful mobile phone operators and handset makers, which set up a joint venture to encourage companies and Web site designers to create mobile Web pages.

Another new top level domain name, ".eu" for European web sites, will become operational this year. Companies, organizations and individuals with legitimate claims to a name because of trademarks they own or other reasons, can already apply during a so-called "sunrise period."