FAQs

FAQ’s for new domain name applicants

FAQs for existing domain name Registrants

FAQ’s for Registrars

FAQ’s for new domain name applicants

A domain name is an addressing construct used for identifying and locating computers on the Internet. Domain names provide a system of easy-to-remember Internet addresses, which can be translated by the DNS into the numeric addresses (IP address) used by the network.

A domain name like www.aeda.ae is easier to remember than the IP address 66.230.200.100.

The two most common uses are internet addresses,where the domain name is prefixed by "www" (for example www.aeda.ae), and email addresses, where the domain name follows the '@' symbol (for example info@aeda.ae).

A country code Top Level Domain or ccTLDs are specific to individual countries around the world. Some examples of ccTLDs are '.ae' for the United Arab Emirates, and '.au' for Australia. A list of ccTLDs can be found at www.iana.org/root-whois

A generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) is a top level domain name that is open to Registrants around the world. Domain names that end in .com,.net and .org are all gTLDs.

If an internet address has .ae at the end of it, it's registered in the United Arab Emirates and a part of the .ae domain space, which is regulated by the .aeDA.

The .ae domain is sub divided into a number of ‘levels’ or ‘zones’. Registration is as follows:

Registration is possible at the second level under .ae (for example,mybusiness.ae)
Registration is also possible at the third level (for example,mycompany.co.ae

* For more information please click on the Domain name Eligibility Policy.

The Registry holds the database of domain names and operates the computers that make domain names visible on the internet. The Registry does not have direct contact with Registrants.

Registrars issue domain name licences to Registrants. They decide whether or not your domain name application meets the policy rules. Registrars have direct access to the Registry so that they can process new registrations and renewals, as well as update Registrant contact details in the database. Registrars in the .ae domain are accredited by .aeDA.

Some Registrars use Resellers to provide customer sales and support. Resellers do not have direct access to the Registry, and must process registrations and renewals through their Registrar. Resellers are not accredited or licensed by .aeDA, they are appointed by the Registrar.

To get your own domain name up and running, you will need to:

Register your domain name through an .aeDA accredited Registrar or their Reseller.
Arrange for your domain name to be "hosted". A hosting service provides a location (a server somewhere, connected to the internet) for your web site. Your existing Internet Service Provider (ISP), other ISPs, or a "webhosting" service can host your domain name. Some Registrars and resellers also include hosting as part of their domain name service.
Shop around for the service that best suits you. Your own domain name is 'portable', which means that your web site can reside on a server in the UAE, or you can move it overseas. The domain name system (DNS) files must be kept up-to-date with the current address, otherwise, when your customer types your web address into their browser, it won't be able to find your web site.
Finally, create your web page and set up your email addresses. You can do this yourself, or your Registrar, Reseller, ISP, or someone else can handle it for you.

You can check the status of an existing domain name, and find out whether a name is available for registration, by using the public WhoIs service.

To apply for a domain name, choose your preferred Registrar and follow their application process. Some registrars provide services directly to the public, others may use Resellers. See the list of Accredited .aeDA Registrars

Yes, you can register a domain name and then delegate your domain name to a specific computer.

This will be dependant on the type of .ae domain name that you are registering, and your chosen Registrars systems, however, once the Registry has been updated, the information in our database is shared with the Internet's zone files worldwide.

This sharing process is called 'propagation', because the new information about your domain spreads or propagates across the Internet. The zone files are propagated frequently, every day of the year. We cannot control the rate at which the millions of name servers on the Internet are updated, but generally your domain should be available to Internet users across the globe within a very short period.

Please read the Domain name Eligibility Policy.

The .ae Domain Administration (.aeDA) is the department formed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to oversee the management of the .ae domain name. The .aeDA established a new industry framework, consisting of a governance and administrative structure to increase the clarity of the roles within the industry, perpetuate growth of the namespace and promote competition by accrediting .ae Registrars.

To support the growth of the .ae ccTLD (country code Top Level Domain) the .aeDA made changes to the .ae name space to increase its openness and accessibility while retaining the strong moral and cultural identity of the UAE.

The main features of the new regime include:
• world's best practice Registry System
• new domain name policy
• competitive domain name industry
• improved consumer safeguards

There are Accredited .aeDA Registrars, Registrants are able to choose where they purchase their .ae Domain name from. Registrars will offer a variety of services to Registrants such as web-hosting, website design, etc, and may offer these and other services at different prices. Registrars are required to clearly state the cost of the domain name, where they are offering a 'bundled' service.

Note: Registrants should examine the various service offerings of each Registrar to ensure that you receive value for money.

You can check the status of an existing domain name, and find out whether a name is available for registration, by using the public aeDA WhoIs.

Blacklisting has been implemented on WHOIS Searches, to aid in the prevention of 'data-mining'. Blacklisting occurs when a person makes too many .ae WHOIS Search enquiries Blacklisting means that a person is banned from using the .ae WHOIS Search service for a specified time period. The limit is 20 queries per hour from the same IP address. The ban will last for 24 hours.

Please refer to TRA Policies regarding the issue

Tthe .aeDA have a Domain Name Eligibility Policy which defines the eligibility criteria for .ae domain names. The .aeDA has a defined Complaints Handling Policy, and a Dispute Resolution Policy. These are posted on the Policy Page. Domain names are registered on a first come first served basis.

The .aeDA implemented a Reserved Names Policy. This policy will specify the domain names that cannot be registered, either for technical and administrative reasons, or those which may not be registered in order to preserve the strong moral and cultural values of the UAE. The .aeDA will publish the domain names that cannot be registered for technical and administrative reasons. The .aeDA will not publish names that are reserved to preserve the cultural values of the UAE.

The eligibility requirements are posted on the policy page on Domain Name Eligibility Policy

.ae domain Names Must:
• Have minimum of 2 and a maximum of 63 characters;
• Use English character set and may contain letters (a-z), numbers (0-9) and dashes (-) or a combination of these;
• Neither begin nor end with a dash;
• Not contain a dash in the third or forth positions (www.ab- -cd.ae)
• Not include a space.
Other conditions are outlined in the Domain Name Eligibility Policy which can be found on the Policy Page.

FAQs for existing domain name Registrants

The .aeDA will be implementing changes to the ae ccTLD in order to bring it in line with international best practice.

The .aeDA will endeavour to ensure that the process of change is as seamless as possible for all existing Registrants; however it is inevitable that these changes will affect some Registrants. As the .aeDA reviews existing policy, the aeDA will publish information and updates on this website.

The .aeDA’s Domain Name Eligibility Policy will detail the arrangements for ‘legacy’ domain names, and can be found on the Policy Page.

Under the new regime implemented by .aeDA domain name Registrants will have the ability to choose their Registrar. This will apply not only at the time of application for a domain name, but also during the term of the domain name licence.
For information on choosing a Registrar please see question no.7

You can change your domain name information, such as contact information through your Registrar. Your Registrar then submits these changes to the Registry. The speed at which your change is made, and therefore the speed at which it shows up in the Registry and the .ae WHOIS Search results depends on your Registrar, although the .aeDA has stipulated that Registrars should only take a maximum of five days to do so. It is important to note that only your Registrar may change the information for your domain name, and only with your permission.

FAQ’s for Registrars

Registrars who apply and meet the .aeDA's requirements will move through the accreditation process. Registrars will sign a Registry Registrar Agreement with the .aeDA covering the technical ability to integrate with the Registry Systems, and their responsibilities as an Accredited Registrar to comply with the .aeDA's policy. Only those Registrars who are accredited will be able to operate in the .ae name space.

The .aeDA is actively seeking interested parties to become Accredited .aeDA Registrars.
For more information please contact the .aeDA:
By Phone: (+971) 4 4288818
By Email: registrars@aeda.ae
By Post: P.O. Box: 116688, Dubai, UAE

Yes. The .aeDA will charge fees to become and remain an Accredited .aeDA Registrar. In addition to these yearly fees Registrars will pay a ‘wholesale’ fee to the .aeDA for each domain name purchased.