An unknown programming error is preventing any .ee domain name registrations from occurring. Photo by Nathan Greenhalgh/Baltic Reports

TALLINN — The new rules on .ee domain registry set by the Estonian Internet Foundation in Estonia hit their first setback on Monday, halting registration entirely.

The domain name reform establishes an equal fee for all .ee domain owners and also allows foreigners to register .ee domains and was due on Monday but an unknown programming error is preventing any registrations from occurring. In the meantime registration applications are still being accepted, but they will be put on a waiting list until the problem is solved.

“It is vitally important to ensure all registrars will have equal access to the registry. The Estonian Internet Foundation would like to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and will inform immediately when registry operations can continue,” the Estonian Internet Foundation announced on its website.

Marek-Andres Kauts, chairman of the board of the Internet Foundation told the Postimees newspaper that there is a flaw somewhere between the communication of registries and the Eesti Interneti Sihtasutus, so the input information is not recognized.

“We are on track of the problem, but until it is not solved, we cannot register the domains,” said Kauts.

The news rules set the annual domain fee to 285 krooni (€18) plus a 20 percent value-added tax per year. Those who already have a registered .ee domain and also those with a free website registered with the free pri.ee domain have to re-register their accounts. The new rules also allows one person to register multiple domains and foreigners to register a .ee domain, something previously restricted to Estonian citizens.

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