Numerous Bermuda-based websites and e-mail addresses were out of order over the weekend because their domains had expired.

It was only six months ago that the Bermuda Government started charging users for the right to an address featuring “.bm”, the country’s top-level domain.

At the same time, the new Bermuda Network Information Centre website was launched, allowing domain names to be registered for $100, with a $65 one-year renewal.

Over the weekend, some firms said they had not been given notice that their domains were expiring.

Yesterday, the Registry-General’s department explained that some companies had not been logged on to a system that sends out automated alerts about the expiry. Those websites will be made active by tomorrow morning, the department said; and businesses will be given assistance to ensure they are probably registered in future.

Explaining how the problem surfaced, the department stated: “Prior to the new system going live, registrants of a .bm domain name were advised, via public ad campaign, press release and e-mails, to log on to the new system to create an account and to make payments.

“It should be noted that notices were issued via e-mail between the months of April and June 2016 to all domain registrants advising them of the new registration fees and to update their contact information on the new system.

“The e-mail notice was sent on April 15 to all domain registrants. A second e-mail was sent to all the major businesses that are members of the representative groups such as the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers and Association of Bermuda International Companies to advise them to update their contact information. In addition, a press release and public advertisements were published during this period.

“The domain registrants that did log into the system and create an account received automatic e-mail notifications for domain renewals 90, 60, 30 and ten days prior to final expiration.

“We requested a report from the vendors and found that, unfortunately, the domain registrants that were affected had not logged into the system to create an account and provide their contact information. As a result they did not receive the automated alerts.”

Websites affected included lindos.bm, bhs.bm, biu.bm, weather.bm and masters.bm. By 7am today, most were back in service.

The statement said the Registry-General’s department has been addressing the issue since being notified about it, and was working with both the system vendor and the Government Information Technology Office to resolve the matter.

“Any domain names that had expired due to the above issue will be made active within 48 hours,” it stated yesterday morning.

“The department will be contacting the registrants to provide them with an update, as needed. The Registry-General will be contacting those domain registrants whose domains are either expired or close to expiring to assist them in registering their details online.

“Going forward, the department has arranged to receive, on a regular basis, reports of domain registrants that have not submitted their payment to ensure that they have created an account and updated their contact details.

“Once all domains are properly registered, it is expected that the automatic e-mail notifications will provide all domain registrants with adequate notice to submit their payments when required.”

• Any company experiencing a problem can contact the Registrar-General at 295-5151 ext 1662 or send an e-mail to apennyman@gov.bm