AFNIC makes the daily life of .fr and .re domain names users easier on March 30th 2009

Press release
Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, March 12th 2009

In order to simplify and standardize its working procedures with the different Registrars, AFNIC launches, on March 30th 2009, its new registration interface, based on the EPP protocol. Simpler to use, compatible with the previous versions and meant to ease the daily life of the Registrars, but also of the domain names registrants, this innovative tool is based on new procedures, but also on  new Registration Terms, with the application of the Naming Charter. Details and explanations.

The increase of the number of.fr domain names (more than 1.3 million domains in .fr have been registered so far, a growth of 36 % in only one year!) and the importance of domain names for domain name users, have brought AFNIC to simplify the rules and procedures of .fr and .re domain names registration, by applying, starting March 30th, the EPP protocol. The interface is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Newly created domain names are activated within the hour. It will simplify the life of the domain names users in their registration procedures.

New  procedures to simplify the Registration

The switch to EPP within the AFNIC, on March 30th, is going to generate changes meant to ease the life of domain holders. Examples:

• Simplification on registrar change procedure :
  • The deadlines are shorter, the outgoing registrar can delay the transfer for a maximum of 22 days instead of 42 , as it used be.
  • When a holder requests a Registrar change, the outgoing Registrar has to provide a unique authorizationcode, named auth_info, associated to a specific domain name. 
• Simplification of multiple domain names registrations. While there used to be a systematic identification of a Corporate Entity for each domain created, now a single identification will be performed for the whole portfolio of domain names belonging to this holder. This identification will be valid for a one year period.
• The redemption period is extended to 30 days instead of 7. During this period the domain name is not released for a new registration.

New registration rules

Starting  March 30th,  in addition to all these changes, a New Naming Charter will come into force for .fr and .re extensions. Its main innovations will concern subdomains. While no subdomain will be deleted, it will no longer be possible, starting March 30th, to register :

• subdomains .nom.fr and .nom.re(only reserved for Individuals). Nevertheless, already existing domain names will be maintained.
• subdomains .prd.fr(reserved for development and research plans) and .presse.fr(reserved for the Press organisms).
• within all sector-based domain names before their migration.

During 2009, the .fr Registry will overlook the progressive migration of the Sector-based domains to other structures. Contacts with the different entities in charge have already been established.

Only the Naming Conventions agglo-nom.fr, cc-nom.fr, ville-nom.fr, mairie-nom.fr, cg-nom.fr, cr-nom.fr will remain, subject to an authorized registration procedure.

AFNIC will no longer check that the other conventions are respected.

For further information, please find the Procedures Manual as well as the overview of the Before/After March 30th 2009  (410 Ko).

About AFNIC

(Association Française pour le Nommage Internet en Coopération)

Non-profit organization, AFNIC is in charge of the administrative and technical management of the .fr (France) and .re (Reunion Island) Internet domain names.
AFNIC brings together public and private members: representatives from the French government, Internet users and Internet Service Providers (Registrars).
Further information.