Get Ready for .UK Second-Level Domains this Summer!

Nominet, the registry operator for the United Kingdom's country code Top Level Domain (.uk), has announced second level .uk domain registrations commencing June 10, 2014.  This means domain names can now be registered using  just the .uk (www.example.uk).  The second level domains will be offered in addition to Nominet's existing and traditional third level domain extensions (example.co.uk; example.org.uk; example.me.uk etc).

According to the registry, unique ‘example.uk’ domain names (e.g. ones that do not have an equivalent .co.uk or a .org.uk already registered) will be available on a first-come, first served basis at launch. And for those registrants with existing third level .uk domains, they will have the option to register their second level domain within five years of launch. In the event that different registrants own separate third level domains – where one person holds example.co.uk and another holds example.org.uk – the second level domain will be offered to the .co.uk registrant first.

HEXONET has already enabled second level .uk EOIs (Expressions-of-Interest), which are free. When pricing and information about the second level uk domains is available those with EOIs will be notified and kept informed on a regular basis. 

For some early information, Nominet has published a helpful set of FAQs concerning the process at: http://www.dotuklaunch.org.uk