I recently revealed my thoughts about what the UK domain name market might look like in 2012, as part of my key note presentation at the UK’s Domain Channel conference on 2 February 2007.

My predictions included the following:

• The Internet and Telecommunications markets will be fully consolidated, and the realisation of next generation networks will produce a seamless Internet.
• Leading registries will leap ahead in terms of service levels, their engagement with the public and their investment in infrastructure, leaving others in their wake.
• There will be fewer registrars serving a greater number of .uk registrations and this will herald increased regulation and intervention as the market continues to take shape. There will be many more high profile mergers and acquisitions as businesses seek to remain competitive through economies of scale and to extend their customer base in the most cost-effective way possible. This means that firms should take a longer-term view when choosing a registrar and build in registrar failure or changes in registrar as part of their risk planning.
• The dominant domain name portfolio holders will become more powerful as they gain direct access to advertisers.
• Registrars will increasingly differentiate themselves on service offerings and their ability to deliver rather than just on price. For domain customers this means that they might need to review their supplier selection criteria and also their service expectations.

The key theme of the presentation was the importance of trust in the Internet, as I believe that will be the main distinction between providers over the next five years and trust is key as far as consumers are concerned.

I also strongly believe that the winners in the industry will be those that have developed and are able to maintain the strongest and most trustworthy reputations. Essentially it’s about responsible growth - something that Nominet is keen to promote and encourage.

This entry was posted in April, 2007.
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