Transitional period for ".ch" domain names
Biel/Bienne, 23.03.2015 - OFCOM and SWITCH have renewed their contractual relationship concerning the management of ".ch" domain names until mid-2017. This allows the proper conclusion of the current migration of holders of ".ch" internet addresses that are direct customers of SWITCH to independent marketers of domain names.
The extension agreement concluded between OFCOM and SWITCH on 20 March 2015 attaches great importance to the orderly and transparent handling of the migration process which sees current Switch end customers change to other marketers of ".ch" domain names (registrars). This migration comes as a result of the new Ordinance on Internet Domains (OID) which entered into force at the beginning of 2015. The functions of registry (management of the domain name database) and registrar (commercialisation of domain names) can no longer be exercised by the same organisation. In order to allow the system change to be conducted before the migration of all SWITCH's end customers to other registrars has been completed, the 2007 contract between OFCOM and SWITCH, which was due to expire at the end of March, has been extended to mid-2017.
Future registry activities will be put out to public tender
After this OFCOM will put the task of managing ".ch" domain names out to public tender. Preparations for the invitation to tender are currently underway and this will be performed in accordance with the regulations on public procurement. The invitation to tender will take place in 2016. The contract will be awarded to the applicant that best meets the criteria defined by OFCOM, which are based on the provisions of the new Ordinance on Internet Domains.
Address for enquiries
Federal Office of Communications OFCOM
Press service, +41 58 460 55 50, media@bakom.admin.ch
Publisher
Federal Office of Communications
http://www.ofcom.admin.ch
