The service would allow parties to be next in line to register a domain name if the name is deleted from the registry. VeriSign will sub-licence the system to all ICANN-accredited registrars. The service will not be applied to .org domain names because VeriSign's contract for control of the .org registry is due to expire.
Current waiting list services operate at the registrar level, meaning applicants may compete for a domain name when it becomes available. Implementation at the registry level would provide equal access to all registrars and give applicants more assurance – provided the desired name actually expires. The new service also gives VeriSign a market dominance. All registrars will be required to pay it the sum of $40 for each application. The registrars are expected to charge applicants whatever the market will bear.
This week, VeriSign also announced its buyout of .tv Corp International, controller of the .tv domain, for the sum of $45 million in cash. VeriSign already owned a minority stake in the company which had negotiated an exclusive licence for the country code top level domain from the small Pacific island nation of Tuvalu. "It's exciting for Tuvalu to have a respected company and corporate citizen such as VeriSign step into the role of managing .tv," said Tuvalu Prime Minister Koloa Talake.
Finally, VeriSign announced yesterday its acquisition of HO Systems, a US provider of billing and customer service products to wireless carriers for $340 million.