Hi Prestel_Person,
The dates in whois.net probably explain why Vodafone wanted to turn of Demon.co.uk earlier, before they agreed to extent the deadline. Domain names have to be renewed, hence Vodafone had to renew for another year.
The domain still belongs to them and, while I protested to nominet uk that Vodafone intended to not use it or allow anyone to lease it, nothing to my knowledge was done to force them to use it or lose it. Several sources say that you can’t sit on a domain and not use it. I understand nominet uk are the uk regulators for co.uk domains, hence i and others did complain, also to Ofcom etc...
It’s possible that Vodafone have been ‘challenged’ over their decision but more likely the systems that control the domain have not been turned off just yet...
I did hear that when BT tried to deny users from their old BT email addresses when they left BT this was prevented, possible by Ofcom, and folk have been able to receive if not send new emails for some years...
As I understand it, Vodafone still own the domain and don’t want anyone to use it - unless some regulatory body prevents this they could keep renewing the domain and not use it - it doesn’t cost much to retain the domain. Only if they don’t renew it could someone else pick it up...
I guess we just wait and see - though as I stopped paying Namesco for email, and Microsoft for Mail licence I’d be surprised if I can still access soon...
Interesting times...
