GAC FAQ on Delegation and Redelegations
Link to the FAQ on delegation and redelegation of ccTLDs, prepared by the GAC USR
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f0RfHgMjVSAfGMb_kN9e5oLOArqpzWLOFwA6qCJENmk/edit?usp=sharing.
Delegation and Redelegation[1] of country code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs)
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What is a ccTLD?
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A country-code top-level domain, or ccTLD, is a domain-suffix that is designated for a particular country or territory. Eligible suffixes are those two-letter codes that have been assigned to countries and territories in the ISO 3166-1 standard ( The country or territory needs to be assigned in the ISO 3166-1 standard. |
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What does a ccTLD manager do, and who are they?
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The manager of a ccTLD is responsible for day-to-day management of the "registry", that is, the record of registrations within the ccTLD, usually at the second-level of the domain name system. This recognized manager (also historically known as the "sponsoring organization") is listed in the Root Zone Database at http://iana.org/domains/root/db |
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What is a delegation of a ccTLD?
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Delegation is the act of the IANA functions accepting and implementing a request to appoint a ccTLD manager, which includes inserting records in the DNS root zone to make the ccTLD functional on the Internet. |
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What is a redelegation of ccTLD?
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Redelegation, also known as "transfer", is the act of changing the ccTLD manager from one entity to another. |
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What is the process of delegation and redelegation of a ccTLD?
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This process involves assessing a prospective manager against eligibility criteria described at http://iana.org/help/cctld-delegation |
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Who is involved in a delegation or redelegation process?
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Those involved are specified at |
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What documentation do I need to proceed to a delegation or redelegation of a ccTLD?
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What should be documented is described at |
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Why are ccTLDs important for governments?
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The two-letter country code is internationally recognized as a representation of the country or territory, this is no different on the Internet. Governments also often have their own sites located under their country code. |
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What is the role of governments in
management of a ccTLD?
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This varies from country-to-country. For example, in some There are many different models of government participation ranging from very lightweight to direct operational involvement. |
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Is there any legislation or ICANN guidelines or document that prohibits governments or a public institution to be a custodian manager of a ccTLD as long as it is done in the interest of Internet community or Internet users?
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There is no prohibition that governments cannot manage a ccTLD. In fact, that happens in many countries. In terms of the process, there is an expectation that the manager does have some day-to-day operational responsibility. Obviously different models have different levels of involvement. There's technical outsourcing and such. But the expectation is the ccTLD manager does have some direct day-to-day involvement. Beyond that, it is certainly fine if it is a government entity that operates a ccTLD. |
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Who decides how a ccTLD is managed?
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This varies from country-to-country as ccTLDs may choose their own approach. Many have published policies for the management of the ccTLD and consult publicly to develop or change those policies. |
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What is the role of other stakeholders in ccTLDs?
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Stakeholders are generally anyone who benefits in some way from the operation of the ccTLD and are therefore important in assessing public interest aspects or policies for the ccTLD. |
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What should a government do if they would like to get involved in the management of their ccTLD?
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If a government wants to get involved with the management of their relevant ccTLD, it should establish a working relationship with the current administration. Governments are encouraged to have a good relationship with the manager of their ccTLD even if they don’t want to be actively involved in day- to- day activities. |
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Who do I need to contact if I have questions?
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Questions about the |
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What happens if a government/ a local Internet Community wants to transfer a ccTLD and not all parties consent? (i.e hostile transfer where ccTLD manager objects)?
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In general, disputes regarding how the domain should be operated need, to be resolved internally within the country or territory. The relevant policy guidance ratified by the ccNSO indicates that a so-called hostile transfer would need to be |
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What is common and best fit model (for selecting a new operator (ccTLD manager) for the ccTLD to be redelegated?
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There is no single model that would facilitate the redelegation. Every country is different and There are various existing models adopted by the countries. One successful model is the non-profit entity responsible for the operations of the ccTLD under the supervision of multi-stakeholder committee/council/body. |
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From which government office/ministry in a country, Point of Contact who have a say in the delegation/redelegation, is nominated?
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Usually, such Point of Contact is nominated from concerned Ministry (e.g. Ministry of IT, Ministry of ICT) or Telecom Regulatory Authority for delegation/redelegation purposes |
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Are there any documents required to describe how existing ccTLD operations will be transferred to the proposed new operator, in the case of a redelegation?
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A technical transition plan document is required to include a detailed description of how existing ccTLD operations will be transferred to the proposed new operator, in case of a redelegation. |
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Can we say that availability of suitable infrastructure is mandatory for the smooth functioning of ccTLD?
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Availability of Suitable infrastructure is one of the critical |
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Is there any documentation required to show that new operator will operate the domain in a fair and equitable manner in case of delegation and redelegation of ccTLD?
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An Operational Policy Guidelines is required for the smooth operations of the ccTLD in a fair and equitable manner along with its approval from the main technical committee. |
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Is there any formal form/template that needs to be completed as per IANA SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for delegation/redelegation and what information is required to
fill-in this template?
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IANA has a standard template which is required to be submitted by the ccTLD operator. This template contains information about Top-Level Domain Name, Purpose of change, Sponsoring Organization, Administrative and technical contacts, Authoritative Name Server, Delegation Signer Record and WHOIS Server. |
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What type of information is required to show that the change (from existing operator to new operator) serves the local interest in the country?
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[1] The term redelegation is also called transfer. For consistency purposes in the document, only the word redelegation has been used.