TORONTO, March 2, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Radix, one of the leading registries in the new gTLD space, has reached an agreement with auction partners Tucows (Nasdaq: TCX ) (TSX: TC ) and Namecheap to assume full ownership and operation of the .online TLD.
Radix has already launched some of the most recognizable new gTLDs with .website, .host, .press and .space. With .online, they now own the first truly generic, truly global, viable alternative to .com.
"Online" is the most commonly used word to end domain names, with over 550K .com domain names today ending with the word "online." In addition, the .online extension has been amongst the top most pre-registered names across registrars.
Tucows, the leading wholesale registrar, and Namecheap, one of the most popular retail registration services, will both continue to work closely with Radix as marketing and distribution partners. The three companies represent a formidable supply chain from registry to registrar to retailer, with the potential to deliver .online to tens of millions of small businesses around the world.
But Radix emerged as the party with the greatest focus on operating a registry.
"We began this partnership and this bid process way back in Spring 2013," explained Tucows CEO Elliot Noss. "Since then, we have discovered a winning strategy that combines great execution on our domains business and investment for growth on our Ting telecom business. Namecheap, likewise, has increased its singular focus on delivering an outstanding retail domain name experience."
Noss continued, "Meanwhile, Radix has emerged as one of the most ambitious and capable domain name registries in the world. We still believe that .online has huge potential as a fresh alternative to .com. We are confident that Radix is the right company to run it and both Tucows and Namecheap are thrilled to play our rightful part in its success."
Radix CEO Bhavin Turakhia concluded simply, "The initial response to new gTLDs has been fantastic and .online has far greater potential than anything we or anyone else has launched to date. We are delighted to call it ours."
The terms of the final agreement between the three parties is not disclosed.
About Radix
Radix (Radix FZC), is an active participant in ICANN's process to expand the internet naming system and introduce new, meaningful internet addresses. Radix is Asia's largest new gTLD applicant under this program with applications to operate 20 suffixes including web, .music, .blog, and .shop. The company has invested over $30 Million in securing licenses to operate these new extensions and expects to play a large role in the global diversification of the internet namespace.
About Tucows
Tucows is a provider of network access, domain name and other Internet services. OpenSRS ( http://opensrs.com ) manages over fourteen million domain names and millions of value-added services through a global reseller network of over 13,000 web hosts and ISPs. Hover ( http://hover.com ) is the easiest way for individuals and small businesses to manage their domain names and email addresses. Ting ( https://ting.com ) is a mobile phone service provider dedicated to bringing clarity and control to US mobile phone users. More information can be found on Tucows' corporate website ( http://tucows.com ).
About Namecheap
Namecheap is a Los Angeles-based ICANN-accredited domain registrar, founded in 2000 by CEO Richard Kirkendall. With over four million domains under management and two million direct customers, Namecheap is one of the top domain registrars and web hosting providers in the world. For more information, visit https://www.namecheap.com .
Tucows Contact: Lawrence Chamberlain TMX Equicom (416) 815-0700 ext. 257
