The Internet domain name-related news keeps piling up today with word that Network Solutions, Inc. will reduce the cost of registering a new .com, .net, or .org domain name by $30 beginning April 1, 1998.

Network Solutions said the change is pursuant to an amendment to its Cooperative Agreement with the National Science Foundation.

Effective April 1, users can register a new domain name for $70 for two years of registration service, with annual renewals costing $35 as opposed to $50.

Network Solutions said the elimination of the Infrastructure Fund portion of the fee is in compliance with the Department of Commerce's recent Green Paper, "A Proposal to Improve Technical Management of Internet Names and Addresses."

Gabe Battista, CEO of Network Solutions, maintained in a statement today that the fee reduction won't impact the company's revenue and earnings. Battista said the Intellectual Infrastructure Fund portion of the fee was set aside in a separate account and was not counted as part of company revenue.

"Moreover, we believe Network Solutions already offers a great value to our customers building online identities and brands, and this just makes getting a unique .com identity on the Internet an even greater value," Battista added.

In related news today, an international debate over Internet addresses is growing as the European Union claims the U.S. plan for managing the domain name system does not do enough to involve other countries.

Also today, an Internet World Daily exclusive report takes a look at new Internet-address systems being developed by Qcommand and Centraal.


Internet Market Close Report for 1998.03.17
Internet Startup Receives $9 Million Investment