.tel Basics

The innovative .tel technology presented by Telnic Ltd. allows using the DNS as a data store for key-value pairs with contact information, such as phone numbers, IM IDs, addresses, and keywords, in the form of NAPTR and text records. The data can then be displayed to a user via the web or in a custom application.

The architecture of the .tel platform includes TelHosting Software for managing records in a .tel domain. The software also exports a number of open interfaces, which can be used by client software to edit a .tel directly from any device connected to the Internet.

The .tel domain can include private encrypted data. The owner of the .tel domain controls access to that information via the free TelFriends service.

The data in a .tel domain can be accessed through a custom application or on the web via the TelProxy service, which wraps the data into a simple web page. With TelProxy, all .tel domains are displayed in a uniform manner using one of the two templates: one for PC browsers, and the other minimized for mobiles.

To view private data in a .tel domain, you need to have a TelFriends account and be in the .tel owner's friend list. When you are, you can log into your TelFriends account on the .tel proxy page and see all data available for you. Custom .tel applications may support privacy as well.