Fasinating Trends Associated With Internet Growth

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-DOMAINZ FASINATING TRENDS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNET GROWTH

Domainz, the company which manages New Zealand's National domain name registry, has seen some major changes in Internet usage in the past year.

In its annual report, the company's chief executive Patrick O'Brien says it seems that accessing the Internet, and its associated facilities of e-business and e-commerce, has become the `sexy' thing to do.

He says this trend is obvious in the increasing number of domain name registrations, with growth almost doubling the levels of the previous year from 28,904 to 56,794.

In March 2000, the number of domain names registered almost matched the total domains that existed when ISOCNZ ( The Internet Society of New Zealand which owns Domainz) took charge of the .nz space in July 1996.

Mr O'Brien says interesting trends include:

* The growth in offshore registrations, as international companies register names in more than one country. One offshore Registrar is now New Zealand's fifth largest .nz name provider.

* A trend towards people and organisations registering more than one domain name, often along a theme, such as `ecommerce.co.nz' and `e-commerce.co.nz'. This practice called `clustering' appears to be motivated by a wish to avoid `cyber squatting', where people register a company's name with the aim of selling it back, and `typo squatting' where someone takes advantage of slightly misspelling a domain name to attract traffic to their own site.

* An increase in the number of names held by domain name Holders. This may also be a protection measure in a competitive marketplace.

Mr O'Brien says all these trends provide Domainz with directions for offering its customers better, more cost-effective services.

He says, for example, the increase in the number of names held by domain Name Holders is one of the factors in Domainz revised pricing structure, which makes it more financially attractive for people to register more than one name. There is also an increase focus on attracting bulk billing registrars into the market.

The introduction of a one-off set-up fee means that name Holders who register more than one domain name on their account pay only the Annual Licence fee for each name, which means a 41 percent reduction on current fees.

Mr O'Brien says the new pricing structure is designed to meet Domainz principle of providing globally competitive services. Domainz is offering substantial discounts to bulk billing registrars, which will allow Domainz to withdraw from the provision of some services.

He says Domainz has set and met the ambitious target of an international US$10 price for registrars making domain name renewals.

ENDS

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