The Portuguese ccTLD .pt had its best quarter ever in the first quarter of 2018 with 44,782 new domain names registered, while April continued the impressive registration figures with 9,010 new registrations, one of the best months in recent years.

The results took .pt registrations past the 1.1 million registrations mark and according to DNS.PT, this growth is the result of “an associative and multiparticipated governance model” with the government, consumers, registrars and academy all participating allowing for a more efficient, flexible and inclusive management of the Internet community in Portugal. DNS.PT also notes Portuguese people and businesses have shown a greater preference for their own country code top level domain.

According to Luisa Gueifão, Chairman of the DNS.PT Association’s Board of Directors, the results show the commitment of the Association DNS.PT in the management, maintenance and registration of the national top-level domain. “Since Associação DNS.PT assumed the role of the Portuguese ccTLD registry, .PT has been one of the three fastest growing domains in Europe. Last year the growth was 12% compared to the European scenario of 4%, so the good performance and experience makes DNS.PT a reference that serves as a model and inspiration for many other European countries”.

Luisa Gueifão also highlights the role that Association DNS.PT has been playing in the promotion of the Internet and the digital economy in Portugal. “Our focus is increasingly directed to digital skills programs. We have created and supported numerous projects that contribute to the increase of the digital literacy levels and to combat info-exclusion and digital divide. It is fundamental to think about the Internet without forgetting the people”.