Network Solutions Reports Top Countries in Domain Name Registration

Business Wire, May 25, 1999

LONDON, Internet World UK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 1999--

United Kingdom leads world in .com, .net and .org

registrations outside North America

Network Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: NSOL), a pioneer in domain name registration and online identity services, today reported the top fifteen countries in .com, .net and .org domain name registrations. While the U.S. leads in domain name registrations by a wide margin with Canada following, the United Kingdom leads outside North America. Domain name registrations are a leading indicator of the Internet's growth and the development of e-commerce.

The top fifteen countries outside the U.S. in .com,

.net and .org registrations are: -0-

           1. Canada                  9.  Australia
           2. United Kingdom         10. India
           3. France                 11. The Netherlands
           4. Germany                12. Korea
           5. Sweden                 13. Hong Kong
           6. Spain                  14. Japan
           7. Italy                  15. Turkey
           8. China

International registrations continue to climb rapidly along with U.S. registrations, accounting for about 27 percent of Network Solutions' total registrations in .com, .net and .org. In the first quarter of 1999, the number of net new international registrations totaled 230,000, up from 168,000 in the fourth quarter 1998, and up 135 percent from a 1998 first quarter total of 98,000.

"The growth in international registrations proves once again that "dot com" is one of the few phrases understood in every language on earth," said Doug Wolford, Network Solutions' senior vice president, marketing and sales. "It also shows the power of the .com brand worldwide."

Canada remains in the number one spot, with European countries dominating the rest of the top ten. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Italy have remained in the top 10 since Network Solutions last reported the top countries in 1998. (See Network Solutions Reports Record Growth in International Domain Name Registrations, February 1998) China, Australia and India have moved into the top ten, displacing The Netherlands, Hong Kong and Japan which all remain in the top fifteen. The rise in registrations for India, China and Korea are due in part to declining online costs in those countries. For example, late last year, the Indian government opened the way for hundreds of privately-run ISPs to begin offering competitively priced dial-up connections.

Network Solutions registers the majority of its International Web addresses through the more than 100 member companies of its International Premier Services Program. Network Solutions provides dedicated account management to its Premier members with customer support for multiple time zones in a number of languages including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese.

Network Solutions also provides registration services in the 243 two-letter country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) through its idNames services. The services offer customers easy one-stop search, shopping and registration services for domain names in locations around the world.

Network Solutions is holding its first European Premier partner conference this week in London May 27-28. Member companies from eight countries around Europe will meet to discuss future plans and strategies.

At Spring Internet World UK in London this week, Network Solutions is exhibiting in booth #231. Doug Wolford will deliver a panel presentation at the show on May 26th at 1:00 p.m., along with Andy Hobsbawm of AGENCY.COM-Europe, on "Dealing with organ grinders and monkeys: How to reach the right people on the Web."

About Network Solutions

Founded in 1979, Network Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSOL) pioneered the development of registering Web addresses ending in .com, .net, .org and .edu. Network Solutions also provides Internet Technology Services that assist large commercial organizations in the evolution and management of their Internet technologies. For more information, see the http://www.networksolutions.com Web site.

Network Solutions registers the majority of Web addresses through agreements with Internet companies around the globe, including more than 80 domestic and 100 international companies in its Premier program. Network Solutions has created value-added small business solutions through agreements with leading companies such as American Express (NYSE: AXP). Through its Alliance Program, Network Solutions works closely with EarthLink (NASDAQ: ELNK), MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSPG), Interliant, Inc. (formerly Sage Networks, Inc.) and ValueWeb (NASDAQ: ESPI). Network Solutions also has entered into marketing agreements with companies including Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) and Netscape Communications Corporation.