February 2, 2005 — (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Market research firm Penn Schoen & Berland Associates said on Monday it has released an independent study that shows that current .net registrars prefer increased competition in the generic top level domain registry market. The survey’s results show nearly 9 out of 10 registrars agree that not one company should be allowed to monopolize the generic TLD registry market.
r
r
Registrars believe increased TLD registry competition will affect numerous important benefits, including lower prices, more innovative technical services, better registrar support, increased collaboration and innovation, and a more popular .net. The study also reveals that registrars prefer a change in the .net administrator, though registrars note that existing domain registries are fully competent in administering .net.
r
r
PSB says it conducted telephone interviews, with 30 arbitrarily selected ICANN-accredited .net registrars in North America and Europe.
r
r
The study is released as ICANN prepares to select the next operator of the .net registry from among five competing domain registries hope to take over administration of the important TLD. ICANN is expected to make its decision at the end of March.
