As Canadian Web operators attempt to comply with a new .ca domain system,
many are finding themselves unable to log on to the Web site for the
Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA).
As of October 23, 2000, over 22,000 requests for re-registration of
existing .ca domain names have been submitted to the CIRA Registry. There
are about 100,000 domain names registered in the UBC registry.
However, CIRA is aware of the problem and doing its best to appease
registrants.
“Two to three weeks ago we were getting several thousand emails a day
from people who were reporting problems getting on the Web site or who had
questions,” he said. “Now, we are only getting about four or five from
people who could not get on our Web site. For me, given the type of
environment, this is quite normal.”
Those operators who are unable to meet the November 1 deadline will not
lose their domain names, assured Bernard Turcot, CIRA’s director operations.
“Even if you don’t re-register and your domain goes off-line, you will not
lose the name. We will keep it for you,” he said.
The registration process is actually being conducted in two parts. From
November 1 to November 7, CIRA will only accept requests for registration in
the CIRA registry of .ca domain names already
registered in the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) registry.
“The new CIRA Registry is important to Canadians and we want to give
those
who currently have .ca domain names every opportunity to re-register before
the anticipated flood of requests for new registrations,” says Maureen
Cubberley, chair, CIRA Board.
The second phase, which starts on November 8, 2000, will enable those who
meet the
Canadian Presence Requirements to register new domain names in the .ca
Registry.
“Deferring the second phase by a few days will make the transition from
the UBC system to the new CIRA Registry more orderly,” says Glen Bloom,
vice-chair, CIRA Board. “New applicants will not be disadvantaged by the
phasing because the first phase will only permit the re-registration of
domain names already in the UBC registry. In any event, existing names are
protected against registration by someone other than the current registrant
until January 31, 2001.”
The rules for registration changed on September 18. To
obtain a .ca domain name, Web sites are no longer required to have a
federally
incorporated company.
To re-register an existing .ca domain name or to request registration of a
new name, it is necessary to retain a CIRA certified registrar. There are
now about 40 certified registrars. The list of registrars and links to their
sites are available at CIRA
in the Registrant section.
Brian McWilliams, host of InternetNews Radio, contributed to this article.
