About the New.net domain names alternative

Let’s start by saying the New.net domain name registry doesn’t work like the normal gTLDs or ccTLDs because the suffixes they offer aren’t officially recognized by the ICANN.

This post doesn’t intend to be overly critical but frankly, that’s a big deal.

Why?

In part because of this “little detail”, taken directly from the New.net’s web site’s FAQ:

Q: Are there differences between how New.net domain names and .COM/.NET/.ORG domain names work?

A: There are some differences, but in many ways the domain names work the same. One difference is that in order for people to use New.net domain names, they must either access the Internet through one of our many ISP partners or download and install our plug-in.

If either one of these requirements is met, then New.net domains will work just as you are used to .com and .net domains working. 

People must download a plugin before they can view your web site? Ouch!

I hope you’re very patient because unless you’re offering something of very rare, most people won’t download anything on their already very sollicited computer system to view your web site.

Furthermore, what happens if the visitor’s computer can’t open up the downloadable .exe file? Mac, Unix and Linux platforms all seem excluded… unless those computers get their web access from a network partner.

The FAQ holds at least another gem and here it goes:

Q: What will happen if ICANN releases a domain name extension that is identical to a New.net domain name?

A: We are working very hard to achieve universal resolvability of New.net domain names through a combination of ISP relationships and plug-in downloads. At the same time, we are reaching out to ICANN and its supporters to get them to understand the viability of our names and our approach and to get ICANN to add our names to the “root” servers that they operate.

Should ICANN decide to introduce a domain name extension in conflict with one of our extensions and assign it to another registry, they will in fact introduce a “collision” in the name space, something they have professed wanting to avoid.

If that were to happen, individual consumers and ISPs would have to choose between the ICANN version and the New.net version of the name.

It is our intention to demonstrate a massive market acceptance of our names that will prevent such collisions from being introduced.

In other words, if the ICANN decides it wants to market a suffix New.net already offers, they’ll probably find it’s unfortunate but they’ll surely go ahead with their plan nevertheless. Don’t count on the world’s largest network providers to choose New.net if that means getting frisky with the almighty ICANN.

Still, it’s unlikely the ICANN would move ahead with similar domain suffixes because they’re not known for being troublemakers.

Perhaps the last point you’ll want to know, from their FAQ, is this one:

Q: How much does it cost to register a domain name?

A: Registering a domain at New.net is $35 for the first year for each domain.

You read that right: 35$ to get your .agent, .chat or .love compared to under 10$ for a powerful .com that 100% of your visitors can access. The .com comes out victorious in all cases except when a New.net suffix is an absolute must. Fortuntely, some of their partners appear to have more realistic prices.
On the positive side, New.net appear to be interested in helping their customers get identities which more closely match their industry or interests. For that alone, they should get a good note for the effort.

Is it a good thing to have competition to ICANN’s sometimes decried monopoly on domain name attribution? Perhaps it is but the New.net position on the matter appears confrontational and the spirit of the internet doesn’t like that kind of negative kung fu. It’s unclear how they’ll react when faced with ICANN challenges.

To the average Joe surfing the web, stability and availability are king.

The ICANN is the cornerstone of that stability so New.net should probably get on with the “regular” program and market their domain suffixes to the ICANN through the usual channels. If they’re as lucky as the people at .jobs, .travel and .eu, they might get some of their names made globally available… and officially recognized.

Let’s hope New.net continues to innovate in such a way that they can peacefully coexist with the ICANN so to expand their offerings without any risk of disruption for those who trust their registration services.

Seeing how far they’ve come with their project of alternative domain names, New.net, amid the many challenges they may face, might just be able to evolve their business to an even higher level. Best of luck in doing so.