The top-level domain (TLD) .td is the country code top-level domain for Chad, Africa. This internet domain name system was introduced in the early 1980s with the purpose of designating countries, regions, or territories.
According to IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority), which is a department of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the .td domain is sponsored by Sotel Tchad, the national telecom company of Chad. ICANN is known for coordinating and ensuring the stable operation of the internet’s unique identifier systems, including managing top-level domains. This information can be verified on IANA’s official website.
There are different types of TLDs, including generic top-level domains (gTLDs), such as .com or .net, and country code top-level domains (ccTLDs), like .td for Chad. The registration and control of these country-specific domains are usually managed by a specific in-country organization, which, in the case of .td, is the national telecom company, Sotel Tchad, as we have mentioned above.
While these ccTLDs tend to be utilized by websites that cater to users in a particular country or region, international companies often register domains under different ccTLDs to protect their brand and to provide local-specific content. Some well-known ccTLDs are .us (United States), .ca (Canada), .jp (Japan), and of course, .td (Chad).
However, registration requirements for ccTLDs can vary widely between different countries: some may restrict the registration to residents, businesses, or organizations located within the country, while others have no such restrictions and allow anyone in the world to register a domain that uses their country code. According to the IANA database and “Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) DNS Name Disputes” from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as of now, TLD .td is not freely assignable.
Although the .td domain is not among the most popular TLDs by number of domains registered, there are companies and organizations which utilize it, mainly those based in Chad or having substantial dealings with the country.
In conclusion, the top-level domain .td is designated for Chad and is currently not open for global registration. It is supervised by the Chadian national telecommunication company Sotel Tchad on behalf of IANA. The use of ccTLDs, including .td, plays a significant role in the global internet structure, enabling a distinct identity and content localization for each region.
References:
1. IANA’s official website
2. “Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) DNS Name Disputes” – World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
