Services
Decline in the number of registrars continues
SIDN administers the .nl domain, processes new registrations and updates to existing registrations, and ensures that registered .nl domain names function. Services to registrants are not delivered directly, but through intermediaries, known as registrars.
Many registrars are providers of internet services, such as hosting or access, but they also include web designers, advertising agencies, trademark bureaus and others. Some large companies that register a lot of domain names for their own use or have a particular reason for not wanting to operate through an intermediary opt to become registrars as well, but do not offer domain name services to the public. In 2013, the number of registrars fell by a little over a hundred, to 1570.
Registrar satisfaction
As in previous years, SIDN organised a Registrar Satisfaction Survey in 2013. The findings indicated that satisfaction was higher than at any time since the surveys began. Registrars were particularly positive about core registration and update services. Respondents also rated SIDN favourably in comparison with other registries: most ccTLD registries were rated less satisfactory than SIDN. The survey results confirm that the efforts SIDN has made to raise the quality of its services to registrars are bearing fruit.
New pricing and billing system and insolvency procedure
Until last year, SIDN invoiced its registrars for registrations and updates on a quarterly basis. In 2013, however, a flexible one-month charge period and an economical one-year charge period were introduced, alongside the traditional three-month interval. In addition, SIDN went over to a system of calculating registry fees on a day-to-day basis, rather than a quarterly basis. The changes were made to bring fees into line with the various business models used by registrars. During 2013, preparations were also made to switch from quarterly invoicing to monthly invoicing, with effect from 1 January 2014.Meanwhile, in consultation with its registrars, SIDN developed a new procedure for dealing with registrant insolvencies, intended (amongst other things) to reduce the associated costs for registrars. Finally, the fee payable for reactivating a quarantined domain name was more than halved.
Cooperation
with the Registrars'
Association
The Registrars' Association (RA) liaises with SIDN on behalf of the registrar community. In 2013, as well as holding quarterly general meetings with the RA's Management Board, SIDN was in frequent contact with the RA's Technical Committee, Legal Committee and Marketing Communication Committee. The main topics discussed were the pricing and billing system, the inclusion of reseller data in the Whois and the security of the .nl domain. The latter subject is expected to be the primary focus in 2014. Particularly in the early part of the year, there was sometimes friction between SIDN and the RA Board, but relations became more cordial as the year progressed.