VeriSign could soon be managing a lot more domains. ICANN is currently in the application process for the gTLD program, which will expand the number of available domain names. VeriSign CEO James Bidzos said during the company’s earnings call that VeriSign applied directly for 14 new gTLDs. That doesn’t mean 14 entirely different new gTLDs, as VeriSign is seeking to protect its existing .com and .net registries.
Going beyond its own ownership of new gTLDs, VeriSign is also positioned to help other applicants in their bids. Bidzos noted that applicants for approximately 220 new gTLDs selected VeriSign to provide back-end registry services.