ICANN to increase .com prices

Today I read an interesting and concerning blog post by  Richard Kirkendall of NameCheap.  You can read the full post at https://www.namecheap.com/blog/icann-allows-com-price-increases-gets-more-money/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Service_DomCPIv3_20200210

The basic points of the article are that ICANN and Verisign have entered a secret deal to raise the prices on .com domain names which will directly effect all domain names and all internet businesses.  Here is a direct quote from the Richard Kirkendall’s blog post,

“Verisign will be allowed to increase the wholesale price to registrars for .COM domains by 7% each year in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. After a two year “freeze”, Verisign can increase prices by 7% annually during 2026-2029, then another two year “freeze”. This cycle will continue, meaning that within 10 years, .COM domains could cost approximately 70% more than the current wholesale price of $7.85 — and the sky is the limit.”

We need to speak up about these price increases.  The Public Comment period is open through February 14, 2020.  Submit your own personalized comment using ICANN’s form at https://www.icann.org/public-comments/com-amendment-3-2020-01-03-en/mail_form.