Up until now, it has been possible to register Internet addresses with the ending .li either directly with SWITCH or with one of more than 60 recognised Partners of SWITCH. As of 14 February 2013, SWITCH is withdrawing from its direct customer business with .li domain names and transferring this to its Partners. In future, the Internet Service Providers will be offering the registration and administration of domain names for direct customers in their own name and for their own account.
The SWITCH Foundation has taken the decision to discontinue its direct customer business with .li domain names. The current model with SWITCH as a registry and provider is no longer appropriate for the market. "SWITCH has successfully built up the direct customer market over the past eight years. And more than 60 recognised Partners of SWITCH now ensure properly functioning competition. SWITCH is thus withdrawing from this market," adds Andreas Dudler, managing director of SWITCH. This move has been coordinated with the Liechtenstein Office of Communication.
Transfer as per 14 February 2013
All .li direct customers of SWITCH will be informed of this change in writing and will be invited to transfer their domain names to a partner of their choice by 13 February 2013. If customers fail to do anything, their .li domain names will be taken up by switchplus on 14 February 2013. switchplus is a recognised Partner and subsidiary of SWITCH. A subsequent transfer to a different Partner is possible at any time. SWITCH is making sure that all customers are able to select a new service provider and is ensuring the interruption-free operation of .li domain names.
The role of SWITCH
SWITCH is continuing to act as the registry on behalf of the Office of Communication of the Principality of Liechtenstein and will ensure that .li domain names operate reliably and are available round the clock all over the world. SWITCH will additionally be supporting the more than 60 recognised Partners.
No change for .ch Internet addresses
All .ch domain names can still be registered and administered via SWITCH. The decision as to whether a similar step will be taken for the .ch domain names is in the hands of OFCOM and the legislator. SWITCH is not aware of any plans in this respect.
About SWITCH
As a partner to the universities, SWITCH brought the Internet to Switzerland 25 years ago. Today, the non-profit organisation with 100 employees at its headquarters in Zurich develops Internet services for lecturers, researchers and students, as well as for commercial customers. SWITCH stands for security in the Internet.
About switchplus
switchplus ag is a 100 percent subsidiary of the SWITCH Foundation. Since 2009, private individuals and business customers have been able to obtain reliable and straightforward Internet products from switchplus, all from a single source – from the registration of the domain name, via web mail and CMS hosting, right through to hosted exchange services and training.
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