Country-code top-level domains
Overview
.fk is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) assigned to the Falkland Islands. It is intended for entities connected with the Falkland Islands and is operated under the authority of the Falkland Islands Government with technical operation performed by local providers.
History
- Introduced/Delegated:
- Wikipedia records the introduction date as 26 March 1997.
- ICANNWiki notes an implementation date of 26 March 1993 and records that IANA approved delegation in June 1997.
- Administration and technical management:
- The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) is the sponsoring authority.
- Administration has moved through several bodies: the Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC) administered the domain until 2012; responsibility then transferred to Regulatory Services and later to the Falkland Islands Communications Regulator.
- Technical management responsibilities were held by Cable & Wireless and later by Sure SA Ltd / Sure South Atlantic Ltd.
- The Communications Regulator oversees the .fk policy and engaged with IANA regarding nameserver topology requirements.
- Registered domains: 185 registered domains (data dated 31 December 2021).
Usage and Audience
- Intended audience: entities and individuals with a connection to the Falkland Islands.
- Typical uses map to the approved second-level categories (see Registration Rules):
- Commercial companies (.co.fk)
- Non-profit and community organizations (.org.fk)
- Government (.gov.fk)
- Academic institutions (.ac.fk)
- Individual/private registrations (.nom.fk)
- Network infrastructure (.net.fk)
- Examples of practical use include local businesses, government services, educational bodies and Falklands-related projects.
Registration Rules
- Eligibility:
- Registrants must be residents of the Falkland Islands or demonstrate a clear Falkland Islands-related reason for registration (e.g., overseas host administering a Falklands site or a company trading in the Falklands).
- Names without an apparent link to the islands are typically not approved.
- Structure and naming:
- Second-level registrations are prohibited; only third-level registrations beneath approved second-level labels are allowed.
- Approved second-level labels: .co.fk, .org.fk, .gov.fk, .ac.fk, .nom.fk, .net.fk.
- Requested names should ideally identify the registrant or their service (examples: narrowsbar.co.fk, zap.co.fk, conservation.org.fk, fig.gov.fk).
- Application review:
- Applications are checked for trademark or other issues and for conformance with FIG policy.
Notable Cases or Examples
- Example domain names cited in policy and documentation: narrowsbar.co.fk, zap.co.fk, conservation.org.fk, fig.gov.fk.
- The policy discussion includes examples of overseas organizations with legitimate links to the Falklands (for instance, an overseas bank that trades in the islands).
Operator
Whois
% IANA WHOIS server % for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org % This query returned 1 object domain: FK organisation: Falkland Islands Government address: Ross Road address: Stanley FIQQ 1ZZ address: Falkland Islands (the) [Malvinas] contact: administrative name: Communications Regulator organisation: Falkland Islands Government address: Legal & Regulation Directorate address: Stanley FIQQ 1ZZ address: Falkland Islands (the) [Malvinas] phone: +500 28428 fax-no: +500 27306 e-mail: regulator.telecoms@sec.gov.fk contact: technical name: IP Networks Manager organisation: Sure South Atlantic Ltd. address: Ross Road address: Stanley FIQQ 1ZZ address: Falkland Islands (the) [Malvinas] phone: + 500 20800 fax-no: + 500 20890 e-mail: mark.street@sure.com nserver: NS1.HORIZON.NET.FK 80.73.216.250 nserver: NS2.HORIZON.NET.FK 80.73.216.251 nserver: NS3.HORIZON.NET.FK 93.187.151.42 whois: status: ACTIVE remarks: Registration information: http://www.sure.co.fk created: 1997-03-26 changed: 2024-10-17 source: IANA