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Beginning to see the effects of the .uk giveaway...
- Thread starter Edwin
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Both have inflated unnecessarily. The NED salary is higher on a daily basis than all but the very top C-level grades. It's also substantially higher than the average UK annual salary for 1/10th the amount of days worked.
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In my view all of the board pay including NEDs is excessive. It rankles more when you look at what they have done with the .co.uk namespace over the last few years.
They were entrusted with safeguarding and promoting a national asset, and here we are with them assisting and promoting (a large part of nominet's site now promotes ntlds) extensions like .vip, .horse and .vodka - all for $1 a domain (that is the figure I have seen quoted).
My concern is that they are using .uk registrant's money to fund this project and we are in a bizarre situation where nominet (the guardian of .uk) are actively seeking the success of the ntld project - which can only be to the detriment of the .uk namespace. So I have real concerns over the commercial agreements they may have signed in respect of the ntlds i.e. if they are unprofitable can they raise prices or pull out? Signs are not good for the ntld market as a whole. It's been in decline for all of 2017 - a time when some said it would boom. That news should have cheared up .uk owners - alas nominet's board have tied us into the ntlds. Let's hope the agreements are not too onerous or lengthy.
They were entrusted with safeguarding and promoting a national asset, and here we are with them assisting and promoting (a large part of nominet's site now promotes ntlds) extensions like .vip, .horse and .vodka - all for $1 a domain (that is the figure I have seen quoted).
My concern is that they are using .uk registrant's money to fund this project and we are in a bizarre situation where nominet (the guardian of .uk) are actively seeking the success of the ntld project - which can only be to the detriment of the .uk namespace. So I have real concerns over the commercial agreements they may have signed in respect of the ntlds i.e. if they are unprofitable can they raise prices or pull out? Signs are not good for the ntld market as a whole. It's been in decline for all of 2017 - a time when some said it would boom. That news should have cheared up .uk owners - alas nominet's board have tied us into the ntlds. Let's hope the agreements are not too onerous or lengthy.
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"Nominet simply isn't a "non profit organisation." It's a commercially focused for profit company with various purposes."
But there in *probably* lies the whole issue.
Nominet were given responsibility to be "caretaker" of the .UK domain zone. However, as sole caretaker, they have a monopoly. A guaranteed income stream every year until domains are no more.
What Nominet is now doing (and has been for a while) is leveraging it's monopoly to move into other tech and business areas where Nominet 'thinks' it can create value, safe in the knoweldge it has it's cash cow behind the scenes. Obviously this means a lot more very very important peope with big salaries are needed as well as bonsues for coming up with the new ideas that need more important people.
Problem is, IMO this is everything that's wrong.
The monopoly it has on the .UK registry means Nominet is able to manipulate circumstances in order to feather it's own nest and to justify it's actions, safe in the knowledge it has cash reserves and annual income aplenty. It can raise prices at a whim when it feels the need to - especially as the way the company is now structured, more talented people outwith Nominet can't prevent it happening.
Do we all really think CTO, COO or other overpaid Directors and Managers are worth the sort of money they are paying themselves. I know I don't. But they have justified it through the increased workload and responsibility for the "registry" (i.e. the increased workload and responsibility for things they do outwith the immediate registry responsibilities).
Maybe this is where Nominet should be forced to split into separate companies? Or a new competing UK registry company created?
The hugely expensive CTO and COO can go with all their new and exciting ideas - good riddance. If you're half as good as you think you are, then you'll be fine and you'll make a lot more money. If Nominet concentrated on the .UK domain zone alone, then there are plenty of worthy honest people out there that can do the job for about 1/3 of the money that is currently being handed out.
Therefore, no more need to hike renewal and purchase prices and no need to offer bonuses for .... something else! The core registry systems are pretty much in place as far as I can see and understand. So less people required to manage, host and maintain them? That all presreves the cashflow.
The split would mean that everything outside of the immediate .UK registry business would then be left to market forces. This means you need talent, first mover advantage, sound investment and a good degree of entrepreneurialism - i.e. everything a normal business needs to think about. That would focus a few minds, as well as ensure heads were on the block as and when required.
TW
But there in *probably* lies the whole issue.
Nominet were given responsibility to be "caretaker" of the .UK domain zone. However, as sole caretaker, they have a monopoly. A guaranteed income stream every year until domains are no more.
What Nominet is now doing (and has been for a while) is leveraging it's monopoly to move into other tech and business areas where Nominet 'thinks' it can create value, safe in the knoweldge it has it's cash cow behind the scenes. Obviously this means a lot more very very important peope with big salaries are needed as well as bonsues for coming up with the new ideas that need more important people.
Problem is, IMO this is everything that's wrong.
The monopoly it has on the .UK registry means Nominet is able to manipulate circumstances in order to feather it's own nest and to justify it's actions, safe in the knowledge it has cash reserves and annual income aplenty. It can raise prices at a whim when it feels the need to - especially as the way the company is now structured, more talented people outwith Nominet can't prevent it happening.
Do we all really think CTO, COO or other overpaid Directors and Managers are worth the sort of money they are paying themselves. I know I don't. But they have justified it through the increased workload and responsibility for the "registry" (i.e. the increased workload and responsibility for things they do outwith the immediate registry responsibilities).
Maybe this is where Nominet should be forced to split into separate companies? Or a new competing UK registry company created?
The hugely expensive CTO and COO can go with all their new and exciting ideas - good riddance. If you're half as good as you think you are, then you'll be fine and you'll make a lot more money. If Nominet concentrated on the .UK domain zone alone, then there are plenty of worthy honest people out there that can do the job for about 1/3 of the money that is currently being handed out.
Therefore, no more need to hike renewal and purchase prices and no need to offer bonuses for .... something else! The core registry systems are pretty much in place as far as I can see and understand. So less people required to manage, host and maintain them? That all presreves the cashflow.
The split would mean that everything outside of the immediate .UK registry business would then be left to market forces. This means you need talent, first mover advantage, sound investment and a good degree of entrepreneurialism - i.e. everything a normal business needs to think about. That would focus a few minds, as well as ensure heads were on the block as and when required.
TW
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A split has been advocated many times. I suggested it 5 years ago, others did too - and probably before me.
Trouble is, it would immediately show that the Emperor has no clothes absent the UK namespace revenue. The non-namespace entity would crash and burn in a truly competitive market once it had to forego the 99% of its revenue that was underpinned by UK domains.
Plus I can guarantee, hand on heart, that Nominet couldn’t care less what anyone on here thinks. Whether it’s in the consultations or in one to one sessions, they listen but never act.
Never met a company with better customer service.
Hard to find a company that cared less about the interests of its customers.
The two are, regrettably, not mutually exclusive.
Trouble is, it would immediately show that the Emperor has no clothes absent the UK namespace revenue. The non-namespace entity would crash and burn in a truly competitive market once it had to forego the 99% of its revenue that was underpinned by UK domains.
Plus I can guarantee, hand on heart, that Nominet couldn’t care less what anyone on here thinks. Whether it’s in the consultations or in one to one sessions, they listen but never act.
Never met a company with better customer service.
Hard to find a company that cared less about the interests of its customers.
The two are, regrettably, not mutually exclusive.
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Would anyone know why 3rd level registrations seem to have tanked, particularly Sept. These are the "paid for" mainly .co.uk registrations, yes?
Down to 49k from 130-160k?
https://www.nominet.uk/news/reports-statistics/uk-register-statistics-2017/
Down to 49k from 130-160k?
https://www.nominet.uk/news/reports-statistics/uk-register-statistics-2017/
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Hopefully a typo... missed the 1 off the front?
There are 100's if not 1000's of companies in the UK where very little is done whilst paying very fat saleries to groups of people whos' careers have flounded in the real commercial world. Like a Titanic life raft, if you know the right people, you're pulled on board, and you end up in cushy number position for the rest of your life. You find that such people are pretty useless at most things, but they still think they are meaningfully productive. Unfortunately, these entitled types are utterly greedy, and live their lives with a misguided belief that they are actually earning their salary!
It's a very British disease, and it's called the service sector!
It's a very British disease, and it's called the service sector!
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Cheers Atlas! Long time no see.
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Cheers, Hadn't thought of that possibility.
The total of 3rd level is also down for Sept back below 10 million. Only down about 17k though.
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Time flies and just received an email that casts my mind back to the consultation about .uk
Not much we can do now - but certainly worth remembering how Nominet acted and the things they said to get .uk launched. Hardly anyone wanted change to the .co.uk, .org.uk and .me.uk set up that Nominet had themselves adopted - except Nominet, their larger registrars, and very few others. This new plan would be a great money making exercise.
And I think we’ve all been proved right about the public’s appetite for .uk. It’s over 3 years since launch and there hasn’t been any great desire to adopt the new extension. That’s why Nominet and the large registrars are now determined to force .uk forward and that’s why we’ve seen the 2 year ROR free offer recently. It all muddies the waters, registration figures can seem inflated (even though it’s simply doubling up), a big pat on the back again - and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more bonuses all round.
But let’s not forget Nominet’s handling of the .uk consultation and, in particular, their decision NOT to contact existing registrants – the most important group of interested individuals and organisations. Questions were even asked in parliament on how Nominet proposed making the consultation more widely known – see this link.
Of course contacting existing registrants about the proposed new extension would have been the fairest way – the obvious way.
Had the 10m registrants been consulted, in an unbiased and fair way, then it is unlikely that .uk would ever have been launched, and businesses wouldn’t forever have to register and hold two domains instead of one. But Nominet resisted all efforts – they even said at a consultation meeting on 21st November 2012 that due to a ‘legal perspective’ and a ‘data protection perspective’ they would be ‘unable’ to contact them. They said this was due to ‘potentially spamming’. See this video at 37.08mins
And now, nearly 5 years since that meeting, I get an email from Nominet regarding a .co.uk that I own and there it is – in black and white – promotion of the .uk domain. Here’s what they said:
“…For online tips and advice and to discover why .uk is such a great place to be, please visit http://www.agreatplacetobe.co.uk
Out on its own for the first time, the new .uk domain is now available to register.
This means that shorter, smarter "example.uk" domain names will be available alongside "example.co.uk", "example.org.uk" and so on.
As an existing customer you may be eligible to register the equivalent .uk domain.
For more information and to check your right to register, please go to www.dotuklaunch.co.uk...”
So Nominet obviously don't see this email as ‘potentially spamming’ me. And as a registrant, with a vested interest in the .co.uk market, I would never have viewed consulting me as ‘spamming’. So what’s changed Nominet? Can you enlighten us as to why consulting an interested party could have been viewed as ‘spamming’- yet marketing the same product is viewed as perfectly acceptable?
Not much we can do now - but certainly worth remembering how Nominet acted and the things they said to get .uk launched. Hardly anyone wanted change to the .co.uk, .org.uk and .me.uk set up that Nominet had themselves adopted - except Nominet, their larger registrars, and very few others. This new plan would be a great money making exercise.
And I think we’ve all been proved right about the public’s appetite for .uk. It’s over 3 years since launch and there hasn’t been any great desire to adopt the new extension. That’s why Nominet and the large registrars are now determined to force .uk forward and that’s why we’ve seen the 2 year ROR free offer recently. It all muddies the waters, registration figures can seem inflated (even though it’s simply doubling up), a big pat on the back again - and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more bonuses all round.
But let’s not forget Nominet’s handling of the .uk consultation and, in particular, their decision NOT to contact existing registrants – the most important group of interested individuals and organisations. Questions were even asked in parliament on how Nominet proposed making the consultation more widely known – see this link.
Of course contacting existing registrants about the proposed new extension would have been the fairest way – the obvious way.
Had the 10m registrants been consulted, in an unbiased and fair way, then it is unlikely that .uk would ever have been launched, and businesses wouldn’t forever have to register and hold two domains instead of one. But Nominet resisted all efforts – they even said at a consultation meeting on 21st November 2012 that due to a ‘legal perspective’ and a ‘data protection perspective’ they would be ‘unable’ to contact them. They said this was due to ‘potentially spamming’. See this video at 37.08mins
And now, nearly 5 years since that meeting, I get an email from Nominet regarding a .co.uk that I own and there it is – in black and white – promotion of the .uk domain. Here’s what they said:
“…For online tips and advice and to discover why .uk is such a great place to be, please visit http://www.agreatplacetobe.co.uk
Out on its own for the first time, the new .uk domain is now available to register.
This means that shorter, smarter "example.uk" domain names will be available alongside "example.co.uk", "example.org.uk" and so on.
As an existing customer you may be eligible to register the equivalent .uk domain.
For more information and to check your right to register, please go to www.dotuklaunch.co.uk...”
So Nominet obviously don't see this email as ‘potentially spamming’ me. And as a registrant, with a vested interest in the .co.uk market, I would never have viewed consulting me as ‘spamming’. So what’s changed Nominet? Can you enlighten us as to why consulting an interested party could have been viewed as ‘spamming’- yet marketing the same product is viewed as perfectly acceptable?
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Can anyone download the “list of every .uk” from https://data.nominet.uk/ and see how many are in it as of tomorrow (31st October) ?
That’s when the free .uk promotion ends...
That’s when the free .uk promotion ends...
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There seem to be 2,058,879 .uk domains in the csv file dated October 30th 8:51am (which I assume contains the data up to October 29th)
For comparison, there were 851,367 .uk domains registered at the end of September, as per Nominet stats https://www.nominet.uk/news/reports-statistics/uk-register-statistics-2017/
That means a growth of 1,207,512 .uk domains in just under a month.
(Note that you can't use Nominet's self-reported third-level data to count .co.uk because it also includes other extensions such as .org.uk, .ltd.uk etc. - but the second-level data should be "pure" because that means .uk only.)
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Thanks Edwin
1.2 million - could be 1.3 million by tomorrow
An extra £5 million per year in the Nominet coffers (when they are auto renewed from 2019). Most likely a million names gone to 123-reg with the same profit per year from 2019.
I wonder how many rights (ROR) are left now ?
1.2 million - could be 1.3 million by tomorrow
An extra £5 million per year in the Nominet coffers (when they are auto renewed from 2019). Most likely a million names gone to 123-reg with the same profit per year from 2019.
I wonder how many rights (ROR) are left now ?
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The vast majority, I would have thought. If we guesstimate that 90% of the UK registry at the time of the cut-off date had some kind of ROR over the equivalent .uk, that's about 9 million ROR domains. So there would be about 7.8 million ROR left, minus "spoilage" (stuff registered then deleted since, ROR lost because the ROR-enabling domain expired and was dropped, etc.)
So while 1.2 million is a big number, it still leaves a huge potential mess come June 2019. Of course, that's assuming the freebie doesn't get repeated (perhaps more aggressively) in the interim.
(It might be that Nominet themselves put out a ROR count around the time of the second consultation - I had a quick flick through my notes but couldn't find it.)
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Never seen any concrete numbers on ROR
The email to rights holders went to 2.8 million unique email addresses:
https://www.nominet.uk/email-to-uk-rights-holders/
In May 2016 Oliver Hope said it was 8 million rights left:
http://blog.nzrs.net.nz/the-impact-of-nz-and-uk-registrations-at-the-second-level/
I heard it was down to 5 million recently ...
So there could be as few as 3 million left now ?
I can’t see them extending that free .uk Promotion now all the large registrars ran it (apart from 1&1) but I could be wrong.
The email to rights holders went to 2.8 million unique email addresses:
https://www.nominet.uk/email-to-uk-rights-holders/
In May 2016 Oliver Hope said it was 8 million rights left:
http://blog.nzrs.net.nz/the-impact-of-nz-and-uk-registrations-at-the-second-level/
I heard it was down to 5 million recently ...
So there could be as few as 3 million left now ?
I can’t see them extending that free .uk Promotion now all the large registrars ran it (apart from 1&1) but I could be wrong.
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Well if there were 9 million rights as of 28th October 2013
Exactly four years later (today) a good 30% of those names will have dropped ? If not more than that.
Which takes us down to 5-6million... and 2 million have been registered on top of that ?
Even back then the renewal rate was:
“Domains between three to four years old follow the average renewals rates of around 70% and this increases up to over 90% for domains aged 10 years and over. The lowest renewal rates are seen for domains aged less than two years old and here we can clearly see the impact of promotional domains which are registered on impulse and often without a clear plan for usage. Nearly half of these domains lapse once the initial registration period is over indicating that these new registrants need more support during the renewals period to encourage them not to let the domain lapse.”
https://web.archive.org/web/20131110000426/http://db.nominet.org.uk:80/page/the-uk-in-detail/
Exactly four years later (today) a good 30% of those names will have dropped ? If not more than that.
Which takes us down to 5-6million... and 2 million have been registered on top of that ?
Even back then the renewal rate was:
“Domains between three to four years old follow the average renewals rates of around 70% and this increases up to over 90% for domains aged 10 years and over. The lowest renewal rates are seen for domains aged less than two years old and here we can clearly see the impact of promotional domains which are registered on impulse and often without a clear plan for usage. Nearly half of these domains lapse once the initial registration period is over indicating that these new registrants need more support during the renewals period to encourage them not to let the domain lapse.”
https://web.archive.org/web/20131110000426/http://db.nominet.org.uk:80/page/the-uk-in-detail/
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