Nominet brands domain name plan ?backward?

Net domain name proposals by the International Ad Hoc Committee (IAHC) have been dubbed ?Stalinist? and ?backward? by Nominet.

The IAHC wants to create seven global domain names to add to the existing three top level names ? .org, .com and .net ? and to restrict top-level domain entry to 28 registrars.

Nominet has 300 members or registrars which pay for the right to manage entries into .uk domains. Representatives believe the UK system fosters competition between its members and would work well for top-level domains.

Nominet Director Ivan Pope said: ?Not only is the IAHC proposing the creation of just 28 registrars in the whole world to manage entry into top-level domains, it also plans to control very tightly what kind of service these registrars provide.

According to Pope, Nominet submitted a proposal to the IAHC but received no response. ?The whole thing is a bit like central control,? he said.

This week Nominet reduced the cost of its .uk registration fees. Individuals registering directly with Nominet will be charged #80 a name for two years? registration. Members will be charged #60 a name.

This is down from the previous #100 non-member charge and #60 member charge.