[ Posted for Chuck Gomes, InterNIC ] [ Registration Services Program Manager ] Tom -- Tom Newell tomn@internic.net +1 703 742 4796 Mngr, Info & Educ Svcs InterNIC Registration Services PGP Key fingerprint = 5E 86 3D 13 73 19 69 08 6B 54 6A 7D AD A2 37 6D ######################################## InterNIC Announces New Invoicing and Payment Procedures * NEW INVOICING PROCEDURE, EFFECTIVE APRIL 14th, STREAMLINES PROCESSES On April 14th, 1997, Network Solutions, the administrator of InterNIC Registration Services, will be changing its invoicing procedures for domain names. For new domain name registrations, an initial invoice will be sent within 7 days of the name activation - to the Billing Contact only - via both postal mail and electronic mail. For renewal registrations, an initial invoice will be sent approximately 30 days prior to the anniversary date - to the Billing Contact only - via both postal mail and electronic mail. In both cases, payment is due within 30 days. After 30 days unpaid names will be subject to deactivation and deletion. PLEASE NOTE TWO MAJOR CHANGES FROM PRIOR PROCEDURES: 1. Administrative and Technical Contacts will no longer receive any billing related correspondence. 2. All customers will receive both postal and electronic mail invoices, regardless of the option selected on the registration template. * SPEEDIER INVOICE DELIVERY AND PROCESSING In addition to the above changes in invoicing procedures, Network Solutions is also working with industry specialists to speed the invoice delivery process. Mail is bar-coded to speed delivery, and addresses are validated against a postal database to screen out bad addresses. We are also providing a tear-off payment stub that can be electronically scanned, and have taken actions to expedite mail services to customers outside the United States. * AUTOMATED VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENT Now customers can call the InterNIC - anytime day or night - to make credit card payments or to obtain payment status on their accounts. A new interactive voice response system is available to accept telephone credit card payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all customers. The voice response system can be accessed via a toll-free number (1-888-771-3000) within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (for other areas call 402-496-9798). Customers should have their invoice and credit card information at hand when they call. * CHECK SCANNING SPEEDS PAYMENT PROCESSING The majority of check payments are now handled electronically using the bar-coded payment stubs. The bar-codes enable the check payments to be scanned, thereby reducing both the time required to record a payment and the possibility of human error. * FIRST VIRTUAL PAYMENT OPTION NOW AVAILABLE The option to pay on-line via First Virtual's credit card payment system has also been added. For more information go to the InterNIC web site at http://rs.internic.net/cgi-bin/fv/payment. * INCREASED TELEPHONE SUPPORT The addition of telephone lines and customer service staff should help ease you through to the Call Center. The number of telephone trunks for InterNIC Call Center support has been quadrupled, Call Center staff has increased by six times, and Call Center workstations, facilities and equipment have been expanded to accommodate the increased customer support levels. * FURTHER ENHANCEMENTS PLANNED FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE Work has also begun on the following near-term initiatives to provide you with continually better customer service: * new, additional options for online credit card payments; * an advanced, state-of-the-art telephone switch for expanded Call Center support; * development of the latest technology for interactive, web-based, customer support -- Tom Newell tomn@internic.net +1 703 742 4796 Mngr, Info & Educ Svcs InterNIC Registration Services PGP Key fingerprint = 5E 86 3D 13 73 19 69 08 6B 54 6A 7D AD A2 37 6D