Domain Name Auction and Parked Pages services are expected to generate new revenue from existing domain registrations
TORONTO, CANADA (February 1, 2006) – Tucows Inc. (AMEX:TCX, TSX:TC)
today announced the beta release of Domain Name Auction and Parked Pages, the first two in a suite of services expected to generate new revenue from the growing secondary market for domain names. These services have unique features since they are designed for distribution through Tucows' established channel of service providers and include tools to facilitate the channel managing and marketing them.
"The secondary market for domains represents a new source of revenue for Tucows and our channel of service providers," said Elliot Noss, President and CEO Tucows Inc. "Our strategy is to create a suite of services specifically designed to harness the reach of our channel and give service providers the information and tools they need to take advantage of this growing business."
Domain Name Auction is a white-labeled service. Service providers can offer potential new registrants the ability to bid on expiring domains via links from the service provider's website. The first auctions are expected to begin February 13, 2006. Buyers of domain names will be able to find out information on how to participate in the auctions at www.tucowsauctions.com. Registrants maintain their right to renew and keep their domain throughout the auction process. Tucows' Parked Pages service will generate revenue from pay-per-click advertising for both expired and unexpired domain names. This revenue will be shared with service providers.
Tucows' Domain Name Auction and Parked Pages services are being offered in beta to existing members of the company's service provider channel. During the beta period, service providers are being asked to provide feedback on the business policies and tools associated with the services.
"We have several specific objectives for our participation in the secondary market," continued Noss. "First, our solutions have to include the ability for service providers to customize their offering to their customers. Second, our solutions have to generate revenue from new sources. Third, the registrant's right to renew their domain has to be protected. Fourth, the services must provide our channel and their customers with information to help them manage their assets. We believe our Domain Name Auction and Parked Pages services achieve these objectives."
About Tucows
Tucows Inc. provides Internet services and downloadable software through a global distribution network of more than 6,000 service providers. These service providers primarily consist of web hosting companies, Internet service providers and providers of other services over the Internet. Tucows’ services include domain registrations services, digital certificates, billing, provisioning and customer care software solutions, email and anti-spam services, Blogware and website building tools. Tucows is an accredited registrar with the Internet Corporation for Assigned names and Numbers, or ICANN, and generates revenue primarily through the provision of domain registration and other Internet services to service providers who offer such services to their own customers in a process known as wholesale distribution. For more information, please visit: www.tucowsinc.com
Contact:
Hilda Kelly
Investor Relations
Tucows Inc.
416-538-5493
ir@tucows.com
This news release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements related to such matters as our product and service offerings and our expected revenue results. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Information about potential factors that could affect Tucows’ business, results of operations and financial condition is included in the Risk Factors sections of Tucows’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to Tucows as of the date of this document, and Tucows assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements.
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