.bg
 | |
| Introduced | January 3, 1995 |
|---|---|
| TLD type | Country code top-level domain |
| Status | Active |
| Registry | Register.bg |
| Sponsor | Register.bg |
| Intended use | Entities connected with Bulgaria |
| Actual use | Popular in Bulgaria |
| Registration restrictions | Must be in Bulgaria or have a representative there |
| Structure | Registrations are taken at second or third level |
| Documents | Terms & conditions (2018) |
| DNSSEC | yes |
| IDN | yes |
| Registry website | www |
 | This article needs to be updated. (December 2018) |
.bg is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) in the Domain Name System of the Internet for Bulgaria. It is currently operated by Register.BG.
The .bg domain name registry was first established in 1991[1] by Bulgarian internet service provider Digital Systems. As the country's digital landscape evolved, the responsibility for domain registration and management transitioned in 2001 to Register.BG, a newly formed entity dedicated to overseeing the .bg domain space.
During the initial years, the .bg registry underwent significant transformations. Initially, domain registration and support were entirely free for the first seven years, with an open registration model available for the first four. Despite this accessibility, fewer than 1,000 domain names were registered during that time. These early years were marked by challenges such as low internet adoption in business and government, limited public engagement, and an overall lack of digital infrastructure—all compounded by a prolonged economic downturn.
.bg domains can be registered by European Union citizens, companies or foreign companies that have registered branches or commercial representatives in Bulgaria. The price of domain registration is €30 per year (€36 including VAT).
Until mid-2006, the price was a one-time registration fee of US$50 plus US$50 per year (total of US$120 including VAT for the first year). For local standards this was a very high price, and many Bulgarian sites were registered under .com (esp -bg.com), .org, or .net domains, as the registration costs were significantly lower (US$8–12 per year) and less of a bureaucratic hassle.[2]
From August 25, 2008, Register.BG simplified the procedures, allowing the registration of domain names in the .bg zone without providing documented grounds (trademarks, company names) for the name.[3] Eventual disputes are to be solved via the newly established Arbitration committee.[4]
Since September 18, 2006, Register.bg proposes new, third-level domains in the a.bg, b.bg, etc., subdomains (a Latin letter or a digit +.bg), lower cost (€12/year incl. VAT), with less restrictions and no dispute resolution.[3] They are targeted mainly at private individuals.[5]
The domain has been enabled with Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) since October 2007.
On September 5, 2009, Register.bg started accepting second- and third-level domain names in Cyrillic with letters found in the Bulgarian language only.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Register.BG - The registry of names in the .bg top level zone". www.register.bg. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
- ^ Митов, Мартин Митков (December 2003). "Защо българските фирми избягват окончанието .bg" [Why Bulgarian firms avoid the .bg extension] (in Bulgarian). Словото. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Terms and conditions, art. 2.3.4.2 and 2.3.5". Archived from the original on 2010-11-20. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "Terms and Conditions, Arbitration". Archived from the original on 2010-11-20. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "Уважаеми клиенти" [Dear clients] (in Bulgarian). Register.BG Ltd. 18 September 2006. Archived from the original on 6 August 2012.
- ^ "Terms and conditions - Label". Archived from the original on 2010-11-20. Retrieved 2009-01-14.