Other highlights in the annual report noted by DNS BE were the biggest trends noted in 2008 were that .be domain names are being registered more frequently for short periods (i.e. for the duration of an event), registrations are seldom limited to just one name, and a website and email address(es) now tend to be linked to the name.
In addition to the strong growth in .BE names, DNS BE also need to keep a close eye on the quality of the domain name zone itself. No official body that manages domain names can afford to turn a blind eye to the rising criminal content of the digital superhighway.
Belgian companies justifiably expect the domain name manager to do everything it can to guarantee a secure and dependable Internet. On the technical side of things, the anycasting project has been set firmly in motion to increase the availability and efficiency of the .be domain even further.
The strong growth in .BE domain names also DNS BE being in a position to reduce the price of domain names to registrars, with prices dropping to €2.50, a drop of €0.50.
From September 2008 this growth enabled us to conclude a 3-year partnership with Close The Gap, an international nonprofit organisation willing to overcome the digital divide by offering top-quality used IT equipment to socially vulnerable groups. Thanks to the equipment delivered, no less than 20,000 computers will be divided over socio-educational projects spread in Belgium and Uganda.
DNS BE subscribes this partnership since it wants to help make the Internet easily accessible to all, make available IT equipment and create better employment opportunities for socially vulnerable youngsters and adults.
Other highlights from the 2008 annual report include:
- in 2008, there were 222,915 new registrations – an increase of 15% compared with the previous year
- the majority of domain name holders have 2 or more .BE domain names with each registrant now having an average of almost seven domain names
- only one-quarter of registrants have only one .be domain name
- there is an email address and website attached to three-quarters of all .BE domain names
- more short-term domain names – the average registration period of .BE domain names has continued to fall, a trend that began a few years ago
To download the full DNS BE 2008 annual report, or for more information on DNS BE, go to:
www.dns.be.
To register your .BE domain name, check out EuroDNS here.