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Microsoft Can Issue Domain Names
Top-level domain names are available directly as part of Office Live business.
Robert McMillan, IDG News Service
Wednesday, November 08, 2006 07:00 AM PST


Microsoft can now register top-level Internet domains.

The company has been added to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) list of accredited domain name registrars, according to domain name service provider Dot and Company. This means that Microsoft can now add new top-level domains to the databases used by computers on the Internet.

Microsoft said in a statement Tuesday that the ICANN accreditation "will be helpful and educational for us as policies evolve and we introduce new and improved Internet-based services to our customers."

"Becoming an ICANN-accredited registrar is just one of many ways we can improve our customers' online and search experience," the statement said.

Linked to Office Live
The move is probably related to its Office Live product, which is expected to emerge from its beta testing period on November 15, according to Rich Miller, an analyst with Internet research firm Netcraft.

Microsoft offers free domain name registration to Office Live users and to date the company has been using Melbourne IT for this service. By becoming a registrar in its own right, Microsoft could cut costs, Miller said.

The company is now accredited to register .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .name and .pro top-level domains.

Though its status as a registrar makes it possible, Miller does not expect Microsoft to get into a new business selling $7 per year domain name registrations.

"The most sensible approach for them is do what they're doing with Office Live," Miller said. "Use the domain name to establish the relationship and then offer additional services."

Being a registrar also gives Microsoft better access to the top-level domain databases and could help the company improve its Live Search product, Miller said.

Limited Role
Google has also become a domain name registrar so that it can quickly determine when domains have changed hands and then adjust their search ranking accordingly, he said.

Microsoft did not say how its accreditation would affect its relationship with Melbourne IT, but company representatives say it has "no plans to become active domain registrar at this time."


http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,12...s/article.html