Operating a gTLD means running a critical piece of internet infrastructure. No organisation can do this alone. From technical back-end operations to registrar distribution, from compliance monitoring to dispute resolution, a gTLD involves multiple interdependent components that must all perform reliably from day one.
ICANN requires applicants to demonstrate reliable registry services and back-end operational arrangements as part of the application evaluation. The right partner mix also determines your long-term costs and strategic flexibility. Selecting partners based on price alone, without evaluating technical capacity, ICANN track record, and contractual flexibility, is a common mistake with expensive consequences after delegation.
The most critical partner decision is the selection of a back-end registry service provider (RSP). The RSP operates the technical infrastructure of your TLD: the DNS servers, the WHOIS/RDAP service, the EPP registry system, DNSSEC signing, and the data escrow arrangements required by ICANN. The RSP's reliability directly affects the availability of your TLD and your ability to meet ICANN's Service Level Agreement requirements.
We evaluate RSPs on five dimensions: technical capacity (infrastructure redundancy, geographic distribution, performance history), financial stability (ability to sustain operations over the registry agreement term), ICANN track record (number of TLDs operated, compliance history, evaluation pass rate), contractual flexibility (ability to accommodate brand TLD-specific requirements, pricing models, and termination provisions), and pricing structure (setup fees, per-domain fees, annual minimums, and the total cost of ownership over a 10-year horizon).
Beyond the RSP, a gTLD operator needs IANA-accredited registrars for domain distribution (even brand TLDs need at least one accredited registrar for internal domain provisioning), an Emergency Back-End Registry Operator (EBERO) for continuity compliance, and depending on the operating model, a sunrise and claims service provider and dispute resolution interfaces. For open gTLDs, the registrar strategy is a commercial and operational decision that affects registry economics and market positioning.
We evaluate providers on technical capacity, financial stability, ICANN track record, contractual flexibility, and pricing structure. We guide you through due diligence, negotiation, and the contractual commitments you will need to demonstrate to ICANN in your application.
Beyond a back-end registry service provider, you will need IANA-accredited registrars for distribution, an EBERO (Emergency Back-End Registry Operator) for continuity, legal counsel for compliance, and depending on your model, a sunrise and claims service provider and dispute resolution interfaces.
Yes, but it requires ICANN approval and a technically complex migration process. Choosing the right RSP from the outset is significantly more cost-effective and less operationally risky than switching after delegation. We structure RSP contracts with appropriate termination and transition provisions to protect your flexibility without assuming that migration will be necessary.
Our strategic partnership with AuthenticWeb.com provides a pre-vetted RSP option for applicants who prefer an integrated advisory and infrastructure solution. AuthenticWeb handles the technical back-end; pitch.law handles the legal and strategic advisory. Applicants who prefer a different RSP are equally well served by our advisory engagement.
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