analysis .aq - Antarctica - ccTLD (Country-Code Top-Level Domain)

[Eric Lyon]

As I was about to get started analyzing the .aq ccTLD it became quickly transparent that you needed to have a presence in Antarctica to qualify to register or own one, which would make reselling them very difficult.

With that said I'm creating this thread as a reference point, even though the .aq extension is pretty much a No-Bueno for domain investors.

.aq is the ccTLD for Antarctica. The letters "aq" come from the French name "Antarctique". It is managed by Antarctica Network Information Centre Limited, located in New Zealand. [1] .aq does not currently have a website or whois service.[2]

The .aq domain is for bodies managing work in Antarctica. A physical presence is needed for .aq domain registration. .aq is available to government organizations who are signatories of the Antarctic Treaty. A .aq domain name is also available to registrants who have a physical presence in Antarctica. This included unattended installations owned or operated by the registrant, and short term visits by the registrant or its employees. Plus, a letter signed by the officer in charge of the base or expedition is needed.[3]

Source

Note: As mentioned above, regrettably, this is a more than likely a no-bueno domain name for investors.