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    5. .smart

    Search For .smart Domain

    Type
    Generic top-level domain
    Registry
    SMART
    Operator
    Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART)
    Launched
    Registration term
    1–10 years
    DNSSEC
    Supported
    IDN
    Not supported

    About .smart domain

    .smart is a brand TLD (dotBrand gTLD) operated by Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART), a telecommunications company. It was applied for during ICANN's 2012 New gTLD Program round and was delegated and made active on April 21, 2016. The registry submitted a Public Interest Commitment to ICANN confirming that .smart operates as a closed brand TLD, meaning it is reserved exclusively for the registry operator's own use. Notably, the application did not pass Initial Evaluation due to a failed technical assessment, but proceeded through Extended Evaluation before ultimately being delegated.

    Who can register .smart domain

    .smart is a closed brand TLD and is not available for registration by the general public, businesses, or third-party individuals. Only Smart Communications, Inc. and entities directly authorized by the registry operator can use domains under this extension. There are no public registration pathways, and no commercial registrar offers .smart domains for sale to outside parties.

    How to register .smart domain

    Because .smart is a closed brand TLD operated exclusively by Smart Communications, Inc., it is not distributed through commercial registrars and cannot be purchased by the public. The extension is delegated and managed directly under ICANN's New gTLD Program, with the registry retaining full control over which domains are activated beneath it. Any use of a .smart domain is determined entirely by the registry operator's internal policies and branding decisions. There is no application, checkout, or registration process available to outside registrants.

    Typical uses of .smart domain

    The .smart extension is used exclusively by Smart Communications, Inc. as an internal brand asset, rather than as a publicly available domain product. Domains under this TLD are typically deployed for branded digital properties, internal services, or consumer-facing products that benefit from a consistent and proprietary namespace. Because the registry controls all registrations, .smart domains serve as a tightly managed branding tool, allowing Smart Communications to maintain full authority over how the extension appears online and ensuring no third-party misuse of the brand identifier.

    Tips for registering .smart domain

    • .smart is a closed brand TLD, meaning it is not available for public registration through any commercial registrar — do not expect to find it listed for sale on domain marketplaces.
    • Because the registry operator retains exclusive control, there are no standard renewal terms, transfer policies, or WHOIS privacy options applicable to outside registrants.
    • If you are looking for a domain with a similar keyword, consider open gTLDs that incorporate the word "smart" as a second-level label (e.g., yoursmart.com or smart.io) rather than expecting to register under .smart itself.

    Frequently asked questions about .smart domain

    Who operates .smart domain?The registry for .smart domains is SMART, administered by Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART).
    Who can register a .smart domain?

    .smart is exclusively reserved for Smart Communications, Inc. and is not open to any outside registrant, regardless of business type, location, or trademark ownership. No eligibility criteria exist for the public because the TLD was designed from the outset as a closed brand namespace. If you represent a business unrelated to the registry operator, there is no pathway to obtain a .smart domain.

    Can I transfer a .smart domain between registrars?

    Because .smart domains are not registered through commercial registrars, the standard inter-registrar transfer process that applies to open gTLDs does not apply here. There is no EPP transfer mechanism, transfer authorization code, or registrar-to-registrar transfer workflow available to outside parties. All domain management under .smart is handled internally by the registry operator.

    Can trademark holders file a dispute to claim a .smart domain?

    Since .smart is a closed brand TLD with no public registrations, standard dispute resolution mechanisms such as UDRP or URS are effectively irrelevant in practice — there are no third-party registrants against whom a complaint could be filed. Trademark holders who believe the TLD itself conflicts with their rights would need to engage with ICANN's processes rather than a domain dispute panel. The closed nature of the TLD means the registry operator is the sole party controlling all domain use beneath it.

    Was .smart ever available to the public during a sunrise or landrush period?

    No. Smart Communications, Inc. submitted a Public Interest Commitment to ICANN explicitly confirming that .smart would operate as a closed brand TLD from the outset. This means no sunrise period, landrush, or general availability phase was ever offered to outside registrants or trademark holders. The extension went directly into exclusive use by the registry operator upon delegation.

    What should I do if I want a domain that signals "smart" branding?

    Since .smart is unavailable to the public, the practical alternative is to register a domain using the word "smart" as part of the second-level label under an open TLD — for example, using extensions like .com, .co, .io, or .tech. Many open gTLDs allow creative combinations that can achieve a similar branding effect without requiring access to a closed brand TLD. Searching for available combinations through a commercial registrar is the recommended approach.