.Ai gets a boost with better registry infrastructure.
Domain name registry Identity Digital announced today that it has signed a contract with the Government of Anguilla for .ai domain names.
Identity Digital will provide backend registry services for the domain name, which should help build trust in the domain name. It will also allow for broader distribution, given Identity Digital’s existing relationships with domain name registrars.
.Ai previously used the CoCCA (Council of Country Code Administrators) platform.
What’s not entirely clear from today’s announcement is if this agreement goes beyond providing backend services. The release notes that the deal will “increase the revenue the Government of Anguilla receives from .AI.” This might be due to greater distribution, or perhaps it’s spin based on a more-recognized backend provider.
With some country code domains, such as .au, Identity Digital acts merely as a backend provider. However, Identity Digital has broader deals for some country code domains. For example, it manages nearly all aspects of the .io country code domain name. (Yes, that one.)
Update: I have confirmed that Identity Digital will take over management of the domain name.
The .ai domain name means a lot to Anguilla. As artificial intelligence has taken off, the domain has grown to over 500,000 registrations and represents a stunning 20% of the country’s revenue.
The deal should be good news for both domain name registrants and registrars. Registrants will get better underlying infrastructure for their domains. Registrars might get more predictable and stable rules for offering the domains.
Update: I have confirmed with Identity Digital that, once it takes over management of the domain, all registrar transfers will include an extension of the expiration date. Currently, .ai is unusual in that registrar transfers do not add to the expiration date despite the fee.
Also, during a press conference today, government officials confirmed that the deal operates on a revenue share, with Anguilla retaining the majority of revenue. Identity Digital is providing a mimimum revenue guarantee. The contract was put out to tender and Identit Digital won the bid. It is a five-year contract.
Hope they make transfers add renewal years and restore proper whois output. And drop the silly 2 years period.
All identity digital operated domains use the same whois service so you should be happy there. Registration and renew will be minimum two years, but no more even numbers restrictions.