AFNIC registers the 1,5 millionth .fr domain name

Press release,
Saint Quentin en Yvelines, 18 September 2009

We’ve done it ! On 10th September, AFNIC clocked up its 1,5 millionth .fr domain name ! This domain name was registered by a group of professional performers based in Haute-Savoie called Les Secoués du Vocal. Its site, www.lessecouesduvocal.fr, draws back the curtain on the shows, singing lessons, workshops/musical comedies etc. offered by these performers, who have decided to go for the .fr extension. Here’s a snapshot.

So, Les Secoués du Vocal are the lucky holders of the 1,5 millionth .fr domain name, registered through domain name registrar Namebay. Set up a year and a half ago by Sébastien Saramago and Guillaume Fortineau, the main purpose of this company is organising theatrical shows (mainly musical comedies), while also offering singing lessons, drama workshops and various musical creations – jingles for adverts, music for films and events etc. In setting up this site, the founders were above all hoping to get their company better known and publicise their latest shows. The .fr extension was a natural choice given that they are based in France, but also on account of how well known, effective and practical it is. As one of the co-founders highlighted “We decided that .fr was the right choice for us given our audience, which is mainly centred around the Haute-Savoie region. Furthermore, our website is exclusively francophone".

With close on 1,5 million domain names, the .fr extension certainly seems to be on a roll, hitting the 100,000 mark in October 2002, the 500,000 mark in July 2006 and one million in January 2008. The .fr extension represents 80% of the net growth in the domain name market in France in 2008/2009, with a 25 % increase in volume compared to 10 % for the market as a whole!  This success can be readily explained by the simplicity, speed and affordability of registering .fr domain names. More than ever, .fr is the preferred extension for addressing a French audience in French.

Further information

French Domain Name Industry Report - 2008 Edition

Les Secoués du Vocal

About AFNIC

(Association Française pour le Nommage Internet en Coopération )

Non-profit organization, AFNIC is in charge of the administrative and technical management of the .fr (France) and .re (Reunion Island) Internet domain names.
AFNIC brings together public and private members: representatives from the French government, Internet users and Internet Service Providers (Registrars).
Further information.