January 2008

IEDR Introduces 5th Consecutive Price Reduction - Price of a Dot-IE Domain Falls by 48% since 2003 -

Wednesday, 30th January, 2008: The IE Domain Registry (IEDR), the managed registry for Ireland’s dot-ie domain names, today announced a 5.8% price reduction for registering or renewing a dot-ie internet domain name, with effect from the 1st January 2008. This latest price reduction represents the fifth annual consecutive price reduction introduced by the IEDR, reducing the price of a dot-ie by 48% since 2003.

The price reduction has been introduced as a result of continued growth in registrations and the IEDR’s focus on cost control. Registrations have now passed 92,000 domain names, representing a net 29% increase since January 2007. The strong growth in dot-ie domain names is largely driven by the efforts of the dot-ie resellers, IEDR’s process improvements, the increasing number of people who are online and consumers’ demand for domains from a highly respected domain address. In 2007, the dot-ie domain name was named the second safest country code domain namespace in the world by the McAfee Site Advisor Report.

The launch of personal domain names in 2007 has also contributed to the increase in dot-ie domain names registrations. Following the launch of personal dot-ie domain names on the 31st October 2007, registrations in November were almost 3,900. This is the first time that registrations have ever exceeded 3,000 in a month.

Commenting on the latest price reduction, David Curtin, Chief Executive of the IEDR said: “Since 2003 the IEDR has introduced five price reductions, reducing the direct price of a dot-ie domain by 48%. This demonstrates the IEDR’s commitment to offer value for money to consumers. The reductions have been feasible due to strong registration growth and the IEDR’s focus on reducing costs, while simultaneously making significant investment in the domain infrastructure and registration system improvements. Dot-ie domain names are now better, faster, cheaper and more secure than ever before.”

David Curtin added: “We are very pleased with the continued strong growth of dot-ie registrations. I would like to particularly commend the efforts of dot-ie resellers who in 2007 have delivered new registration growth of 29% compared to 2006 and who have continued to promote and enhance the .ie brand. As a result, the dot-ie domain name remains the Irish domain market leader with a 40% market share.”