What's the highest amount a ICANN Applicant can charge for domain names?
Based on the provided sources, the Applicant Guidebook does not specify a maximum limit or "highest amount" that Registry Operators can charge for domain names. Instead, pricing is determined by the applicant's specific business model and strategy.
According to the sources:
• Pricing Strategy: Applicants are required to describe their strategy for "using various pricing models for projected registration revenue," which may include "auctions, premium naming, multi-year versus single-year registrations," among others.
• Financial Projections: Applicants must estimate their revenue by forecasting the "Average Registration Fee" and "Premium Fees" for the first three years of operation.
• Notification Requirements: Once a generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) is operational, the Registry Operator must provide advance notice of any pricing changes to all registrars, in compliance with the time frames specified in the Registry Agreement.
While there are fixed fees paid to ICANN (such as the $227,000 gTLD evaluation fee), the sources do not mandate a cap on the fees a Registry Operator may charge to registrants.