The “a.tr” TRABİS Stakeholder Information Meeting was held under the auspices of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority. Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan and Chairman of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu also attended the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Sayan stated that the internet plays a life-saving role in many areas of daily life, from communication to education, banking transactions to health. Sayan said, “As the number of internet users and commercial enterprises operating over the internet increases, trade and daily transactions conducted via the internet naturally increase as well. According to statistics announced by the ITU, the number of internet users reached 5.3 million by the end of last year. In our country, according to data announced by “We Are Social,” as of January of this year, the number of internet users has reached approximately 71.3 million, and the internet penetration rate is approximately 83.4%.”
Expressing that domain names in the internet field have become one of the most important tools for introducing businesses and distinguishing them from others today, Sayan said, “As you know from the purpose of our gathering here today, we are excited about the transition to the “a.tr” process. As foreseen in the legislation, one year after TRABİS became operational, we have begun the initial allocation processes for domain names with the “a.tr” structure.”
Deputy Minister Sayan: The internet will continue to be a unifying force for our country.
Emphasizing that TRABİS is carried out with the status of a public institution and without profit motive, Sayan said, “When examining the allocation figures for “.tr” extension domain names, we see that approximately the total number of registrations from 1991 until TRABİS took over on September 14, 2022, has been reached in the last year alone. Currently, the total number of domain names has exceeded one million. In this context, I have no doubt that with the upcoming “a.tr” process, these figures will increase further, making the “.tr” extension even more recognized in the international community.”
Stating that the relevant registration institutions also have important duties in the “a.tr” process, Deputy Minister Sayan said, “At this point, we expect your support as registration institutions that act as intermediaries in domain name transactions for domain owners, by working transparently, effectively, and devotedly to successfully complete the a.tr transition, which will add value to the domain name market in our country.”
Underlining that effective management of internet domain names will position Turkey much stronger in the digital field, Sayan concluded his speech by saying, “I believe that with this effort, we can build a more effective structure regarding internet domain names in our country. We are fully confident that we will all work together to play an important role in Turkey's digital transformation. As a result of all these efforts, the internet will continue to be a unifying force for our country.”
Chairman Karagözoğlu: TRABİS makes significant contributions to Turkey’s cybersecurity and digital future
Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, Chairman of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, also attended the event.
Expressing that developments in the technology field have changed our social life and ways of doing business, Karagözoğlu said, “Undoubtedly, the most important of these areas is the internet. As you know, the DNS system, which converts domain names to IP addresses to facilitate and ease communication over the internet worldwide, has been developed, and thus domain names have started to be used. Domain names corresponding to IP addresses are defined as meaningful and easy-to-remember alphanumeric representations.”
Stating that the number of domain names has increased significantly with the widespread use of the internet, Karagözoğlu expressed that this increase has led to some problems regarding domain names and their management. Karagözoğlu said, “The Information Technologies and Communication Authority was assigned the duty and authority to carry out the processes related to the allocation of “.tr” extension domain names under the Internet Domain Names Regulation prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. Our Authority has prepared the Internet Domain Names Communiqué and the Internet Domain Names Dispute Resolution Mechanism Communiqué, thereby providing a regulatory framework for this area, which had no legislation until today.”
Emphasizing that BTK's efforts regarding domain name management continue without slowing down, Chairman Karagözoğlu said, “With the “Procedures and Principles Regarding the Allocation of Domain Names with “a.tr” Structure” published on August 25, 2023, we have determined the framework for the allocation of domain names that only have the “.tr” extension, making it possible in our country, as in many countries around the world, to allocate domain names directly with the country code extension. After the allocations are completed, just like in the allocation of “a.b.tr” structured domain names, the first-come, first-served rule will be applied, and “a.tr” structured domain names will become a part of our lives.”
Karagözoğlu concluded his speech by emphasizing that TRABİS's operations make significant contributions to Turkey’s security in the cyber world and its digital future.
A certificate ceremony was held following the speeches.