Transition of Domain Name Registration to a Competitive Market
Theresa Alvarado-Cunningham · McNair Scholars Research Journal · 1999
This paper discusses the Domain Name System (DNS) of registering Internet domain names, Network Solutions, Inc.'s (NSI) six-year monopoly on DNS registration, and the proposed transition of DNS operation to the private sector.The purpose of this study is to compare the domain name system of registration as managed by NSI, under government contract, with the proposed private, competitive registration system.The study included the use of an online survey to measure qualitative expectations of domain name registration.DNS consumer expectations were measured through a s.urvey of Internet experts using the Delphi technique.This technique is designed to survey a large number of experts and obtain group consensus without gathering the group.Llkert scaling was used to measure the degree to which the expert disagrees or agrees with statements presented in the questionnaire. HYPOTHESISCompetitive operation of the Internet Domain Name System will lead to greater responsiveness to consumer needs.