RoTLD is the official authority responsible for managing .RO top-level domains by creating, implementing, and maintaining the software systems, databases, and infrastructure necessary for the presence of .ro domains on the Internet. The domain name system is required for any Internet-related operation, such as web browsing, email transmission, or online transactions, making it a critical component for accessing Internet services.

In 1993, ICI was delegated by IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) to organize, administer, and manage Romania's Internet top-level domain, fulfilling the role of registry for '.ro' domain names — a key element in the development of the National Research and Development Network (RNC).

ICI was one of the founding members of the Council of European National Top-Level Domain Registries (CENTR), the association of national domain registries in Europe.

In accordance with the provisions of Government Decision No. 1621/2003, as subsequently amended and supplemented, the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics – ICI Bucharest is responsible for the organization, administration, and management of the '.ro' top-level domain (TLD), fulfilling the role of registry for '.ro' domain names.

The service responsible for administering '.ro' domain names holds a significant responsibility in ensuring the stable and uninterrupted operation of Internet services within the '.ro' domain space. The malfunction of primary and secondary nameservers for '.ro' would render the use of Internet services under this domain impossible, impacting the entire socio-economic system, given the growing dependence on the Internet for banking services, e-government systems, e-commerce, educational platforms, and other essential services.

The data stored in the Registry’s databases is crucial for ensuring the stable and accurate operation of Internet services within the '.ro' address space. This aspect guides the research component of the Service toward practical applications, leading to the identification of innovative solutions for data storage and management, the optimization of data flows, and complex strategies for data protection and digital space security.

Principles underlying the management of .ro domains:

• Equal treatment of all requests, in the order of their receipt, according to the 'first-come, first-served' principle;
• Maximum efficiency within the available working time and technical conditions;
• Ensuring high availability for .ro domain registration services;
• Ensuring access security to nameservers;
• Providing backup services for all managed .ro domains;
• Ensuring optimal access speed to nameservers both domestically and internationally;
• Displaying contact data for registered domains on the whois.rotld.ro server;
• Providing information facilities for domains not yet registered;
• Publishing partnership contracts on the registry's web application;
• Automatic validation of domain name registration requests;
• For the protection of registered trademarks and public personalities, domain name registration for resale is not allowed.

Regarding matters related to registered trademarks and intellectual property rights, international practices, also applied by other registries, are respected.

ROTLD provides .ro domain registration and management services.

Domain name registration is not only about registering the name in a database, but also providing access to the DNS system for any application associated with that name, whether it is access for email, web, or any other service accessible via the Internet.

To this end, the registry maintains an operational nameserver system that is called upon for any Internet access to an address containing the respective domain name.

ICI Bucharest currently has three nameservers installed at ICI, one nameserver at the University of Vienna, and two nameservers at the '.de' domain registry, DENIC, in Frankfurt. One of the two nameservers provided by DENIC is based on an annual payment agreement and operates using anycast technology, ensuring high availability of DNS services for the '.ro' address space.

The nameserver system is a critical resource for the functioning of Internet access within the '.ro' address space.

ICI Bucharest, through the Internet domain registry, places great emphasis on security and the quality of services provided to users. To this end, investments have been made to ensure a high standard of service quality.

Objectives and Main Activities

• Promoting appropriate initiatives in the field of ICT to respond to national and European policies, strategies, and requirements;
• Improving the development of products, applications, and services by adopting and implementing modern methods and technologies specific to the administration of Internet domains in the .RO space;
• Optimizing the infrastructure through procurement proposals that effectively support research activities in the field, both nationally and internationally, in line with the assumed development directions;
• Conducting advanced studies and research in the field of ICT;
• Providing expertise and consultancy in the management and evaluation of ICT systems;
• Optimizing diagnosis and risk assessment systems;
• Optimizing information resource management systems in public administration;
• Optimizing electronic document management and archiving systems.