.tr Domain Names Management: From Past to Present
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure's Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) has been managing internet domain names since 1991. First managed by the Middle East Technical University (METU), domain names were subject to a new regulation in 2008 with the Electronic Communications Law No. 5809. With this law, it was decided to determine the authorized institution for the allocation of domain names and to create regulations.
Entry into Force of the Regulation and TRABIS
The “Internet Domain Names Regulation” prepared by the Ministry was published in the Official Gazette on November 7, 2010 and entered into force. With this regulation, the allocation and management of domain names with the extension “.tr” were transferred to BTK. BTK developed a system called TRABİS (TR Network Information System) in this process. TRABİS became operational on September 14, 2022 and an important step was taken in the management of internet domain names.
Domain Names Notification and Updates
In order to develop TRABİS, some updates were made to the Internet Domain Names Communiqué published in the Official Gazette on June 10, 2023. With these updates, new procedures and principles were determined for the allocation of domain names in the ".a.tr" structure. Public institutions and public organizations have the right of priority for allocated domain names. In this process, extensions such as "a.gov.tr", "a.edu.tr", "a.tsk.tr", "a.bel.tr" and "a.pol.tr" are allocated free of charge.
Domain Name Allocation Process
In the domain name allocation process, professional organizations and public benefit associations that are public institutions are also taken into consideration. Existing domain name owners with the extension “org.tr” can obtain domain names with documented allocation applications. In this process, the “first come, first served” rule is applied. Thus, domain name allocation is carried out more fairly and quickly.
TRABIS and Domain Name Statistics
With the launch of TRABİS, a significant increase in the number of domain names has been observed in Turkey. As of 2022, there were approximately 460 thousand active domain names in Turkey. With the launch of TRABİS, 2024 thousand new domain names have been allocated by the end of September 810. Thus, the total number of active domain names has reached 1 million 270 thousand.
In TRABİS records, the largest share belongs to domain names with the extension “com.tr”. This extension stands out with a total of 981 thousand 821 domain names. This is followed by 164 thousand 528 “tr”, 30 thousand 62 “gen.tr” and 28 thousand 8 “org.tr”. In addition, there are domain names for various professions such as “.web”, “.av”, “.bel”, “.edu”.
Domain Name Disputes and Resolution Center
Domain name disputes are resolved at the “TR Domain Names Dispute Resolution Center”. Within the framework of the Internet Domain Names Regulation, it is aimed to resolve disputes quickly and effectively. For this purpose, the Information Technologies and Internet Security Association (BTİDER), Istanbul Arbitration Center (ISTAC) and TOBBUYUM Mediation and Dispute Resolution Center cooperate.
This center aims to resolve disputes between parties through independent arbitrators. In this way, while providing advantages in terms of time and cost, the victimization of rights holders is also prevented. International standards and relevant legislation in Turkey are taken into account in resolving disputes.
As a result
With the influence of TRABİS, .tr domain name management has gained a more transparent and organized structure. Public institutions and the private sector carry out a more equitable domain name allocation process thanks to this system. Developments in domain name management make significant contributions to Turkey's digitalization process.
