Dubai:

Etisalat has the largest market share of more than 72 per cent of registrars in the UAE for .ae domain name, according to a data released by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

“It is important that local businesses understand the benefits of registering with the .ae domain name. The dotcom space is currently saturated and by using .ae, businesses will be afforded with a larger choice of potential names for their website. It also allows customer to be immediately aware of the location,” Mohammad Al Zarooni, Acting Executive Director Policies and Programmes in the TRA, said in a statement.

To register a .ae domain name, businesses first need to choose and contact a .ae accredited registrar.

A .ae accredited registrar is an organisation authorised to register and manage domain names on behalf of registrants. Authorisation to be a registrar of .ae is granted by the .aeDA after strict criteria is met.

The .ae Domain Administration (aeDA) was established in 2007 by the TRA as the regulatory body and registry operator for the (.ae) domain name.

aeDA is responsible for enforcing all policies on the operation of the (.ae) country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) as well as overseeing the operation of the registry system. Its role is to develop and execute the domain administration policy; grow, develop and market the (.ae) namespace; accredit and manage (.ae) registrars; educate the public on the domain name, deliver and promote the domain name; facilitate the (.ae) Dispute Resolution Policy; and represent (.ae) at international forums.

Highlighting the market share of each UAE provider in terms of registrations, the ‘Registrars Market Share July 2013’, the report highlights the following data: Etisalat (72.21%); Instra Corporation Pty Ltd (8.94%); 101Domain Inc. (3.31%), IP Mirror, (3.07%); AESERVER (2.80%); Ascio (1.91%); DURRAQ “Tasjeel” (1.73%); InterNetworX Ltd & Co KG (1.44%); MarkMonitor (1.17%); InterNetX GmbH (0.98%); MARCARIA.COM International Inc. (0.87%); EITC PJSC (du) (0.66%); Abu Ghazaleh Intellectual Property TMP Agents (0.42%); Safenames Ltd (0.29%); Innter.net (0.11%); Klute-Thiemann Infomationstechnologie GmbH&Co.KG (0.06%); CPS-Datensysteme GmbH (0.03%) and Consultix GmbH (0.00%).

“The UAE is recognised worldwide for its outstanding ICT infrastructure, its pioneering business community and its ability to create cutting edge and innovative online content. With more businesses registering with the .ae domain name, the UAE is creating a stronger presence online. The TRA have deliberately streamlined the .ae registration process, making it easier for businesses to register and I encourage all those who have yet to create a localised domain name to do so right away as it truly represents their UAE identity on the Internet,” Al Zarooni said.