The .ad domain and how you can register it
An internet domain is a unique designation used to identify a website on the world wide web. Regardless of the content presented on the web, the main function of domains is to convert IP addresses into names that are simple and easy to remember. Without the use of internet domains, it would be necessary to remember IP addresses (194.158.64.64) instead of domain addresses (https://domini.ad).
Furthermore, domains also allow for personalization of email addresses, such as info@domini.ad
To find out if a domain name is free, you can perform a search using the domain search tool on the main page of the .ad domain website or on any search engine of an accredited domain registrar. The search result will indicate whether the domain is available or not.
Yes, anyone can register a domain name, as long as it is available and observes the
of the .ad. Restrictions are enforced exclusively by ICANN, and these restrictions apply to names associated with specific countries or regions, as well as other special categories and, for the general .ad domain regulations, the domain name must be:- Generally accepted as legitimate
- Not detrimental to the image of Andorra or to Andorran interests, at the discretion of the Registry Operator
- Provided with the importance and meaning of the domain name it refers to
- In good faith
It is advisable to also see the explanation to the question "can .ad domain names be used for any use?"
The registry, Andorra Telecom, cannot register domains directly. For this reason, domain registrations must be done through the accredited registrars. Compare their offers and choose the registrar that best suits your needs. Then complete the registration process directly on the indicated registrar's website, following their instructions.
It depends on how it is to be used.
If your domain registration is for your business, it will help you a lot if the domain name is easy to spell and pronounce. An ideal domain name should be less than 15 characters long so that people can easily remember it. Longer domain names are more vulnerable to typographical and spelling errors, and to autocorrect on mobile devices, which could result in lost web traffic.
An attractive name for a new company always attracts attention. Try to avoid duplicate letters, numbers and characters.
If you want a .ad domain to protect your name or for private use, you could register your first and last name, which will help you if you also want to have an email linked to your .ad domain.
The time it takes to activate may vary depending on your registrar, but it will usually be up and running within a few minutes after registration is complete.
Your registrar must resolve all these doubts. Get in touch with them using the information you will find on their website.
Note that your hosting provider may be different than your domain registrar.
Yes, since all domain extensions are compatible with each other and the same website can offer access from several domain extensions such as .com, .cat and .ad. You won't lose any of the domains you already have if you add a .ad domain to your website.
The same logic applies to email addresses as well.
.ad domains can be used for any use, except those expressly prohibited by regulation.
It is strictly prohibited to use .ad domain names for:
- Commercially offer third-level domain name registrations to independent third parties
- Send unsolicited commercial advertising, in a way that contravenes the relevant legislation or the regulations of usual acceptable use of the internet
- Register multiple domains for the sole purpose of establishing parking pages with advertising and/or redirecting traffic to other domains
- Distribute malware
- Contribute to the operation of zombie networks or other similar abusive uses
- Impersonate (carry out phishing)
It is also not permitted to use the .ad domain name for the purpose of trading in domain names for sale, resale or transfer, nor to allow or contribute to a third party doing so.
It is strictly prohibited to use the .ad domain name in a way that could damage or discredit the name, image or reputation of Andorra or go against Andorran interests, at the discretion of the Registry Operator. For example, through a .ad domain name, you may not offer or allow third parties to offer content that is defamatory, violent, offensive, aggressive or that, at the Registry Operator's discretion, incites violence, is racist or xenophobic in nature or in any other way contrary to the Law or morals.
Nor may .ad domain names be registered or used that confuse the public regarding the public administration nature of the domain holder. Impersonating third parties or the intellectual property rights of third parties is also not permitted.
Not exactly. .ad domain names can include:
- Characters specific to the Catalan language (à; ç; è; é; í; ï; ll·l; ò; ó; ú; ü);
- Alphanumeric characters, that is, in letters of the Latin alphabet, digits from 0 to 9 and middle hyphen “-”;
- The characters included in the table of Internationalized Domains (“IDNs”) published by IANA.
However, .ad domain names cannot:
- Start or end with a middle dash “-”;
- Have two consecutive middle hyphens “-” in the third and fourth positions except if they are IDN name encodings according to the rules of the table of internationalized domains published in IANA; nor
- Have more than 63 characters.
1 and 2 character domain names can be registered later. They are currently reserved for the Registry.
.ad domains active before the transition and opening phase
If you have a .ad domain registered before the new registration model, which came into effect on May 22, 2024, you should know that:
- You need to choose a registrar from the list of
All domains registered before May 22, 2024, will initially be managed by an interim registry (in fact, the registry itself) that will ensure their maintenance, as long as the holders have not selected an accredited registrar.
The .ad domain is in an opening process that will allow it to operate in accordance with international standards, in an automated and faster way. To do this, it is necessary to manage all operations through the accredited registrars, who will be responsible for offering, for example, a self-managing control panel and an efficient and professional service and to offer complementary services and resolve doubts.
It will therefore be necessary to choose an accredited registrar who receives the management of the corresponding domains from the interim registrar mentioned in the previous question. There is no cost to choose a registrar for existing domains, beyond the cost of domain renewal when applicable.
The representatives who decide to do so can accredit themselves as registrars of the .ad domain before the registry operator (Andorra Telecom). If the agent with whom you currently manage your .ad domain is accredited as a registrar, you can continue to manage your domain with him without any problems, unless you voluntarily decide to change.
In any case, the representatives will continue to manage on their own any other service that you have entrusted to them (trademarks, patents, etc.)
Yes, it is possible to change the registrar. To do so, the domain must meet the following requirements:
- Be up to date with payments.
- More than 60 days has elapsed from the time of registration or previous transfer.
- Have no associated legal disputes.
- Not have accounts blocked or frozen.
- The owner and/or administrative contact of the domain must have an associated email address that works correctly and to which the person or company requesting the transfer has access.
Please note that registrar transfer automatically results in renewal for an additional (1) year, which will be billed by the new registrar.
Domain management and registrars
Andorra Telecom (Registry Operator) assumes the management of the .ad domain. It is the entity in charge of setting out the rules of the domain. Andorra Telecom does not act as a registrar, so domain name registration requests must be made through accredited registrars.
Any company wishing to act as a registrar for .ad domain names must be accredited by the Registry Operator (Andorra Telecom) in accordance with objective, non-discriminatory and transparent rules published on the Registry Operator's website.
The
that have been accredited to register .ad domains is public. Remember that it is not possible to register domains directly through Andorra Telecom and that you need to choose a registrar for any management with your .ad domain.Any Andorran ICT agent/company or international registrar who wants to accredit himself as a registrar of the .ad domain must do so through the Registry Operator (Andorra Telecom). There is no prior technical examination and no fixed or minimum annual costs, but you must sign a contract with Andorra Telecom (RRA).
There are 2 alternative and equivalent routes:
- EPP (Automated Orders)
- Control Panel (intranet)
Send an email to info@domini.ad and we will give you an in-depth explanation of the process creating and managing .ad domains.
The registry will set the price of billable transactions (creation, renewal, transfer, recovery) which will be the same for all registrars.
The registrar will be free to set the price for the .ad domain that it will bill its end users at the time of the transaction.
The Registry (Andorra Telecom) will monthly invoice all the operations of the corresponding period to the Registrars and each Registrar will be able to download a .CSV file with all the transactions to enter it into their own management system.
Registrars have exclusive responsibility for the relationship with their clients, including the following aspects:
- Make domain applicants accept the .ad regulations.
- Any claim by a third party in relation to one or several domain names.
- The correct technical processing of the operation request that must be sent to the Registry Operator.
- The correct processing of data on behalf of the Holder and the sending of this data to the Registry Operator.
- The correct management of requests and checks sent to the Registry Operator.
Price and duration of the domain
The Registry Operator will set the fees for the creation, renewal, transfer and recovery of .ad domains for the Registrars. The Registry reserves the right to set specific fees for certain types of domains.
The rates are public information and will be published in the section of
.
Registrars are free to set the prices of their services, and the applicant for a .ad domain must be able to know the registration price prior to confirming the registration request and/or renewal.
Andorra Telecom offers the domains at a wholesale price, but each registrar is free to determine the final price of the .ad domains in accordance with their business strategies. It is important to note that, in many cases, the domain registration may include a number of complementary products or services that may influence the overall price increase.
From the period of General Availability, your registrar will indicate the payment methods for the initial registration and subsequent renewals.
The domain name has a validity period between one (1) and ten (10) years from its registration. The duration of the validity period varies according to the option chosen by the Applicant/Holder through the registrar in charge of the operation.
Check your control panel or with your registrar if domain name renewal is automatic or manual.
Domain names registered before 22.05.2024 have a validity period of two (2) years from their registration or from their last renewal. This period will be respected, however, subsequent renewals will default to one-year periods unless a different period is indicated at the time of renewal.
When domains do not comply with the usage regulations, they may be blocked under the registration agreement signed at the time of domain registration. In this case, since it has been blocked for illegal use, there will be no refund.