GoDaddy has lost the contract to manage Colombia’s .co domain extension to a new partnership. Equipo PuntoCo, a joint venture between Team Internet and CCI REG, secured the 10-year contract from the country.
Originally commercialized by .Co Internet in 2010, the .co extension gained popularity over the years. Neustar acquired .Co Internet for $109 million in 2014. When the contract renewal came up, a dispute arose, leading to a settlement with Neustar securing a five-year extension.
Following Neustar’s sale of its registry business to GoDaddy in 2020, the competition for the .co contract renewal intensified. Despite GoDaddy’s marketing prowess, the contract was awarded to the TIG partnership, which will now oversee 92% of the extension’s revenues.
The transition marks a significant shift in the domain industry landscape. With over 3 million registered .co domain names, the impact of GoDaddy’s loss on the extension’s future remains to be seen. The terms of the new contract reflect a substantial increase in revenue sharing with the Colombian government.
Andrew Low Ah Kee, GoDaddy’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the governance structure’s integrity, ensuring a fair playing field between GoDaddy’s registry and registrar functions. The pillars include non-sharing of information to prevent competitive advantage, impartial treatment, compliance oversight, and separate business performance evaluations.
Industry experts view this development as a testament to the evolving dynamics of domain management and partnerships. The domain industry, characterized by constant innovation and competition, continues to witness strategic shifts and collaborations to enhance service delivery and market reach.
As the domain landscape evolves, stakeholders navigate a complex web of regulations, market trends, and technological advancements. The .co contract transition underscores the importance of transparent governance, equitable practices, and strategic partnerships in the domain industry’s growth and sustainability.
Looking ahead, the domain industry is poised for further transformations, driven by market demands, regulatory changes, and technological disruptions. The .co contract shift serves as a reminder of the industry’s resilience and adaptability in responding to evolving market dynamics and stakeholder needs.
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