In a world in which digital technology is constantly evolving, having an own generic top-level domain (gTLD) is a major strategic step for brands, local and regional authorities and organisations. As Europe’s leading back-end registry operator, Afnic has created a set of turnkey solutions as part of Afnic Registry Services to help these actors deploy and manage their gTLD thanks to its proven expertise and a level of performance and functionalities among the highest in the market.
Get ready for a rare opportunity in 2026
It’s official – the next application submission period for new gTLDs is set to open in Q2 2026. Almost 15 years after the last round, new top-level domains will be able to be added to the Internet’s Root Zone. A rare opportunity, preparations for which need to begin as early as possible to avoid missing out! Just like with the last application round, Afnic is on hand to support you with the deployment and day-to-day management of your gTLD.
Afnic is the leading French back-end registry operator in Europe for the launch and management of your gTLD.
Specific solutions tailored to your needs
As well as providing back-end and registry services for a wide array of gTLDs (including .paris, .bzh, .leclerc, .sncf, .mma, and .museum), we have introduced a range of products and services tailored to open (geoTLD, gTLD) and closed (brandTLD) TLDs:
- for organisations and brands wanting to control their digital ecosystem and stand out by centralising their web services under a single domain as a guarantee of authenticity and trust;
- for local and regional authorities wanting to boost their city or region’s appeal by creating an innovative digital space that unites their community;
- for drivers of innovation;
- for any other project leaders seeking to structure and coordinate an efficient online presence thanks to a tailored and secure tool.
Obtain your own gTLD thanks to our back-end solutions
With Afnic Registry Services, you’re in charge – you manage your own TLD and your clients with complete autonomy thanks to our management interfaces. Our recently revamped registry and resolution systems guarantee you performance, security and compliance.
Our offers include all of the technical and functional elements needed to manage a TLD on a daily basis, whether it’s an ‘open’ TLD (like .museum or .paris) or a ‘closed’ one, in other words exclusively reserved for your domain name registrations (like .leclerc or .total).
We provide a secure registry interface allowing you to:
- manage your registrar network and domain name registrations
- monitor the commercial performance and technical configuration of your TLD
- carry out promotional operations and handle your invoicing
- meet ICANN requirements for abuse management
Afnic’s fees are highly competitive, enabling you to free up your investments to develop your TLD and facilitate your registry activity.
Trust us with the back-end management of your TLD
Our experience as registry for the .fr TLD and as a registry service provider, our quality of service and our knowledge of the market enable us to provide an unrivalled back-end solution for TLDs.
- Independent sovereign actor: We host applications and data on our own infrastructure located in France, with no reliance on third-party solutions and no possibility of third-party buy backs.
- An Operator of Essential Services: As an operator of an essential service in the meaning of the EU cybersecurity directives with ISO 27001 certification of its back-end registry activities, Afnic guarantees all of its clients full compliance with EU regulations.
- Unequalled performance, security and availability: Our registration system, which was entirely overhauled in 2022 in line with the latest market standards, and our 300 resolution servers spread around the world ensure exceptional resilience and coverage.
- Unique knowledge of the registry business: With over 25 years’ experience as a leading European actor in the domain name industry, we place this know-how at the service of each TLD entrusted to us.
- Internationally acknowledged expertise: Our 90 experts contribute to the continuing evolution of the worldwide web and to providing top-quality technical and customer support services 24/7.
In addition to hosting our solution on Afnic infrastructures, and to offer greater flexibility, we can also provide other types of hosting tailored to your requirements and usual practices: on an international private Cloud, on a SecNumCloud Cloud in France or Europe, or directly on your own infrastructure (on-premises), with facilities management handled by the Afnic teams.
Special rates are applied to hosting outside of Afnic infrastructures and in line with your needs and the technical complexity of the project.
Support at every stage
Our experts assist you through all stages of your project, from the initial evaluation to the operational management of your TLD, covering all aspects: technical, legal, registry policy, marketing and commercial.
Right from the needs analysis phase, we help you assess the relevance of your project based on your brand positioning or the dynamic of your community. Together, we develop and structure a tailored roadmap to guarantee your project’s success.
Once your TLD is launched, we help you optimise your marketing and commercial actions based on your market thanks to our multi-registry experience. We also run Qualiopi-certified training programmes to build your teams’ technical skills.
Choosing Afnic means choosing comprehensive support and a trusted partner to transform your TLD into a real lever to boost your growth and visibility.
Registrars: become a partner
Our back-end registry solutions can be incorporated into your offering to enrich the services provided to your clients. Referencing our back-end solutions in your offering allows you to:
- combine your expertise as a registrar with that of Afnic as a registry service provider;
- expand your range of services by using Afnic’s knowledge, skills and tools for the benefit of your customers as part of their gTLD project.
Our teams are available to discuss the arrangements for incorporating this service in your catalogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for answers? Here are the questions our teams get asked the most — and our answers:
The Registry Service Provider (RSP), also known as a Back-End Registry Operator (BERO), plays a key role in the implementation and technical management of a Top-Level Domain (TLD).
The RSP configures the necessary infrastructure and handles the roll-out of the TLD.
Choosing an ICANN-accredited RSP, such as Afnic, means a faster technical deployment time for the TLD, without the need to carry out long validation tests.
The RSP subsequently keeps a daily watch on the proper functioning of the TLD, managing the publication of the zone, DNS resolution, and domain name registration, all while guaranteeing compliance with the service levels required by ICANN.
- Read our article Tricks of the trade: the back-end registry operator
Afnic undertakes to maintain a high level of quality, security and service continuity for the TLDs under its management, notably thanks to the recent complete overhaul of its registry system to bring it into alignment with the latest market standards. Over the past 25 years, the TLDs for which we operate as RSP have all delivered performances that surpass the service levels required by ICANN and by the French State.
We host applications and data on our own infrastructure located in France, with no reliance on third-party solutions and with the assurance of constant investment.
As an operator of an essential service in the meaning of the EU cybersecurity directives with ISO 27001 certification of its back-end registry activities, Afnic guarantees all of its clients full compliance with EU regulations.
Afnic provides comprehensive support for custom TLD projects thanks to a structured framework encompassing a number of key steps:
- Project assessment: Analysis of the expediency and relevance of creating a custom TLD based on the client’s strategic objectives.
- Application preparation: Assistance with preparing the ICANN application, including the project description, financial information and registry policies.
- Launch of the TLD: Implementation of technical infrastructure and deployment of the TLD.
- Day-to-day management: Ongoing support for the day-to-day management of the TLD, and in line with contractual obligations, including technical maintenance, performance tracking and regulatory watch to guarantee full compliance with the rules set out by ICANN.
Being able to have your own gTLD is a rare occurrence. It’s been more than 14 years since the last round in 2012, and there’s no guarantee that another opportunity will arise after 2026.
So it’s vital not to miss out on this potentially one-time offer, unless you’re willing to wait another decade for another round to open. Don’t let your chance to assert your digital identity and stand definitively out from the crowd pass you by!
In September 2024, Afnic conducted a nationwide survey to evaluate the perception of brand TLDs and their attractiveness among French Internet users. The findings highlight their online practices and the perceived benefits and major advantages of a dot brand.
The results of the survey reveal a largely positive perception of these TLDs, with a specific focus on three aspects: immediate identification of the brand and its products (83%), as well as higher confidence in the websites visited (80%), in the emails sent out by businesses (76%) and in online transactions (77%).
- For more information, the full survey is available on Brand TLDs: Afnic reveals the exclusive results of its perception survey
Leading French groups have adopted their own dot brands for their communication and to create their own coherent and consistent digital space. As one of these brands, BNP Paribas has shared its experience of using its own dot brand, focusing specifically on the benefits in terms of its digital strategy and customer relations.
- Read their interview Using .bnpparibas to the benefit of the group’s customers and business lines
The .microsoft TLD, originally registered for defensive purposes, has proven to be a great solution for the company, which sought to optimise and streamline its domain name portfolio while offering greater consistency among its product range for users.
Lastly, we studied the top 6 fast-growing dot brand TLDs and deciphered these businesses’ digital strategies as well as the solutions these dot brands provide in terms of securing and strengthening their brand image.
Own your top-level domain
On the same topic
White paper: benefit from brandTLD opportunities
Obtain pragmatic advice based on our experience and corporate testimonials.
Advice and expertise: developing a digital territory
By incorporating all of the expertise involved in operating ...
Registry solutions: our references
Since 2012 our teams have been supporting brands and territories ...
Featured
04/07/25
Pierre Bonis, has been elected as a Board of Directors member ...
Learn more
Amazon, a leader in online commerce and web services, stands ...
Learn more