UAE-based telecom provider Etisalat has topped the list of .ae domain registrars with 73% of the market shares during the first half of the year, said a report issued by the national Domain Administration Department in TRA (.aeDA).

Instra took the second place with a market share of 6.4%, followed by AE server in the third place with 5%, according to the report, which noted that the number of companies that monitors the registration process reached 23 accredited registrars.

 Commenting on this report, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, director general of UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), said: “The UAE national domain (.ae) is one of the distinguished aspects of UAE’s online presence. We perceive a growing interest from the private sector companies in registering their national domains, which reflects the UAE’s market position and reputation.

“It also reflects the wish of these companies to enhance their association with the UAE’s name. The use of the national domain is a clear indication of its relevance to reliability and credibility for companies operating in the country, as it increases the customers’ confidence.”

Mohammad Al Zarooni, director Policy & Programs Department in TRA, said: “We have taken many steps to enable customers to complete their registration in the national domain, within no more than 3 minutes. These efforts have contributed to the rate increase of companies’ demand on registration. Achieving the top position in the Arab region in terms of registrars in the .ae domain is a motivation for further achievement.”

 The Domain Name Administration (.aeDA), the regulatory body and registry operator for the .ae domain, a subsidiary of TRA, is mandated to manage the national domain (.ae) and the Arabic domain name (امارات. ).

The .aeDA is responsible for developing and implementing the .ae domain’s policy, as well as developing, upgrading and marketing the .ae domain, accrediting and managing the registrars, educating the public, promoting and enhancing the .ae domain, facilitating relevant dispute resolution policy and representing .ae domain. – TradeArabia News Service