ccTLD IMPORTANT CHANGES IN .SO

[nicenic]

On July 8, 2015 the .so Shared Registry System will be migrated to the Cloud Registry platform and operation will be transferred to the Somali Network Information Center (SONIC).

In conjunction with the move, the Registry will implement new policies that will significantly modify registration eligibility and introduce new restrictions on content and usage.

At the same time, the registry will ramp up abusive use monitoring and enforcement of acceptable use policies.

Ahead of these changes, the registry will halt new registrations indefinitely and increase renewal fees.

*Schedule*

May 7, 2015:
Request for Consent to Assignment of RRA sent out to registrars

May 15, 2015:
New .so OT&E environment available to registrars who execute RRA assignment

June 9, 2015 03:00 UTC
Registry stops accepting new registrations in .so
Renewals in .so limited to a maximum of one year
Renewal fee increas

July 8, 2015 03:00 UTC
GMO Registry closes access to the .so Shared Registry System, in preparation for migration
(The new registry platform will open shortly after SONIC will provide details shortly)

 

[Ms Domainer]

Yet another reason why these country codes are risky investments.

Each country can set its own policies and pricing.

 

[brandnow]

Those are seriously scary sudden changes.. makes me concerned going forward with CCtlds and nGTLDs.

 

[Ms Domainer]

Those are seriously scary sudden changes.. makes me concerned going forward with CCtlds and nGTLDs.

ICANN has a tighter grip on the gTLDs, but, yes, changes like this can screw up one's business plan.

A few years back, .TC did this kind of thing, raising the renewal from about $35.00 to $199.

Also, Somalia is a bit unstable, so it's a bit of a fustercluck.

 

[nicenic]

Looking back at this old thread, I think that point aged pretty well.

With ccTLDs, investors are not only buying the keyword or the extension. They are also taking registry-policy risk: eligibility rules, renewal limits, pricing changes, transfer rules, and acceptable-use enforcement can all matter.

The safer approach is fewer speculative registrations, more checking of registry rules, and more attention to renewal cost before building a position.

 

[TonnyDomains]

Well, that is a proof that old news might still be valid!

 

[HariSeldon]

With ccTLDs, investors are not only buying the keyword or the extension. They are also taking registry-policy risk: eligibility rules, renewal limits, pricing changes, transfer rules, and acceptable-use enforcement can all matter.

That applies to all extensions (including for example .com and .co.uk) though doesn't it?

 

[nicenic]

That applies to all extensions (including for example .com and .co.uk) though doesn't it?

Yeah actually you're right. I should not view .com or .co.uk have no policy risk. However, imo... the risk is usually more predictable and easier to price in than with some smaller or less stable ccTLDs.

 

[TonnyDomains]

To HariSeldon You are correct:
All domain extensions can of course be exposed to various changes.
Such as renewal prices etc.
Several years ago I had many different, like: .info .net .co.uk etc.
Now I have only .com
I do consider several new extensions.
But I have net yet made up my mind.
So, I am listening to all, who provide advise.

 

[HariSeldon]

All domain extensions can of course be exposed to various changes. Such as renewal prices etc.
Now I have only .com

The irony of course being that thanks to what happened on January 20, 2025, .com could yet turn out to be the riskiest extension there is! Only two and a half years to go and everyone can breathe a sigh of relief.

 

[NameGroove]

Looking back at this old thread, I think that point aged pretty well.

With ccTLDs, investors are not only buying the keyword or the extension. They are also taking registry-policy risk: eligibility rules, renewal limits, pricing changes, transfer rules, and acceptable-use enforcement can all matter.

The safer approach is fewer speculative registrations, more checking of registry rules, and more attention to renewal cost before building a position.

Why? Seems .so is now used by companies outside Somalia and there are no rules re who registers. Did something change recently?

 

[TonnyDomains]

I were in Somalia almost 50 years ago, When I lived in Kenya.
I do not know whether .so is something for me.
But I ought to investigate it, and other African domains.

 

[nicenic]

Why? Seems .so is now used by companies outside Somalia and there are no rules re who registers. Did something change recently?

No worries, I was not saying .SO had some new issue recently. I meant ccTLDs in general. Even when an extension is open to global users, investors still have to watch the registry side

I were in Somalia almost 50 years ago, When I lived in Kenya.
I do not know whether .so is something for me.
But I ought to investigate it, and other African domains.

lol yeah that make sense Tonny. African ccTLDs are worth researching.