Basic concepts: what is a registrar and how do you choose one?
.cat domains are not registered directly with Accent Obert but through an accredited registrar. Here is who they are and how to choose.
When you decide to register a .cat domain, you can’t do it directly with Accent Obert. But why? Who do you have to go through? This is where registrars come in. We explain who they are in this article.
The role of Accent Obert and registrars
Accent Obert is the entity that manages the .cat domain, but under ICANN regulations — the international body that oversees Internet domains — it cannot sell domains directly to users. This task is handled by registrars: companies accredited by ICANN that act as intermediaries between the registry and the people who want to have a domain.
In other words: Accent Obert is the one that ensures .cat exists and works correctly, and registrars are the ones that sell the domain and provide access to the associated services.
Who can be a .cat registrar?
Any company that wants to sell .cat domains must be accredited by ICANN and meet the established requirements. This means that whichever registrar you choose, you will be working with a company that meets international industry standards.
What does each registrar offer?
Each registrar has its own services, prices and conditions. Most registrars offer additional services with the .cat domain, combining it with web hosting, email or other value-added services. The final price depends on each registrar and the additional services included.
Accent Obert is impartial and does not recommend any registrar over another. What you can do is consult the price and services comparison on the domini.cat website to choose the one that best suits your needs. You can find it here.
It is possible to change registrar
If at any point you want to transfer your domain to another registrar, you can do so as long as the domain is up to date with payments and 60 days have passed since the last renewal of your domain. The process is managed directly between the two registrars, and the domain name does not change.
Your registrar is your point of contact with the .cat domain: choose carefully, compare what each one offers and pick the one that best suits your project.
