Member Profile: .lv

Full Name of Registry: Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Latvia Department of Network Solutions NIC.LV

Contact details (address, phone, fax, general enquiries):

Raina bulv. 29

Riga LV 1459

LATVIA

Tel.: +371 67085858

Fax: +371 67225072

Founding date:1993

Registration Model (Registry/Registrar system; Direct registrations; Both): Direct registrations. Registry/Registrar system starting in autumn 2009.

Number of domain names: 76 104 (1 August 2009)

History: The maintenance of Latvia's country code top level domain (ccTLD) ".lv" registry is managed by the Network Solutions Department at the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Latvia (IMCS).

IMCS was one of the first Internet service providers in Latvia. In the early days of the Internet development in the country Internet services were provided to various scientific and academic institutions. Later when Internet usage spread amongst business enterprises and individuals, again, IMCS was one of the first to offer its experience and help.

In 1993 IMCS took over the management of the ".lv" zone, establishing and maintaining the necessary infrastructure, training the staff and offering the domain name registration services in Latvia. Until the 1st April, 1997 IMCS covered all the costs related to the domain name registration. At the moment the annual price of domain name registration is set to LVL 8.70 (~EUR 10.50) with no additional charges for changes in both technical and administrative information. Public bodies as well as academic and research institutions are allowed to register one domain name free of charge.

According to the Electronic Communication Law (in force since 01.12.2004), ccTLD ".lv" is recognized as a scarce resource that shall be used taking into account the interests of the society of Latvia. The Ministry of Transport supervises ccTLD ".lv".

In recognition of the truly global nature of the Internet, ccTLD ".lv" accepts registrations from any country. Applicant may be an organisation or an individual.

Since 1 July 2009 liberal domain name registration rules came into force.