Introduction
Do you own a .CO domain or are you planning to register one? Then this news is of interest to you. Colombia is changing the operator for the national domain .CO, and this change can have direct impacts for entrepreneurs, digital companies and anyone with an internet presence.
From October 3, 2025the technical, commercial and administrative operation of the .CO is transferred to the PuntoCo Team ConsortiumCO, formed by the Colombian company CCI REG and the British company Team Internet Group, for a 10-year contract. This replaces the previous operator (GoDaddy Registry), which represents a redefinition of who manages the "digital heart" of .CO.
In this article I will tell you about it:
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what exactly changed,
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what the most relevant impacts will be for .CO,
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opportunities and risks in this new scenario,
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what you should do as a ClickPanda customer to avoid being affected by this change.
So if you already have a .CO, plan to acquire one, or simply want to understand where the Colombian digital ecosystem is headed... keep reading.
Content
What is happening? The change of operator of the .CO
a) Background
Until now, GoDaddy Registry acted as the technical backend of the .CO TLD and managed registrations/renewals.
In 2025, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MinTIC) opened a public bidding process to renew/ award the operation of .CO.
The winner was the PuntoCo Team Consortiumconsisting of Central Comercializadora de Internet (CCI REG, a Colombian company) y Team Internet Group PLC (UK company specialized in domain infrastructure). Team Internet
The contract is for 10 years (2025-2035). Portfolio.co
In the new model, the operator will retain 8 % of gross revenues for registrations and renewals, and Colombia will receive the remaining 92 % as part of the contract. Team Internet
b) What functions will be assumed by Equipo PuntoCo
Technical management of DNS system, registration infrastructure, zone control.
Commercialization, promotion and marketing of the .CO domain.
Reporting, monitoring against abuse (phishing, spam, misuse).
Regulation of special domains (gov.co, edu.co, mil.co, etc.) under new verification policies. El Tiempo
Development of new tools and operational improvements for accredited registrars.
And how does this affect us in Colombia and for those who have a .CO?
A. Positive impacts for Colombia
Increased state participation in digital revenues
With 92 % of the revenues from registrations and renewals destined to the State, these resources are expected to be invested in connectivity, digital education, innovation and technological development programs. W RadioStrengthening digital sovereignty
For the first time, the national domain will have a Colombian company with central participation in its operation (CCI REG). This may generate more local control, commitment to the national ecosystem and adaptations more aligned with the country's needs. El TiempoPossible operational modernization and technical improvements
The new operator is expected to bring improvements in tools, greater stability and innovation in the management of .CO to make it more competitive globally. Portfolio
B. Risks, unknowns and potential challenges
During the transition there may be technical setbacks or momentary interruptions.
Changes in registration policies, verification or regulations that may complicate special domains (.gov.co, .edu.co).
Adaptation of registrars (including ClickPanda) to new APIs, flows and requirements.
Inattentive users may lose credentials (authorization codes, renewal) or experience delays.
What it means for those who already have or are going to have a .CO
| Situation | What potentially changes | What to do / verify |
|---|---|---|
| Active .CO domain | Authorization codes (auth-codes), backend system settings could be regenerated. | Check with ClickPanda if your domain needs renewal or data confirmation. |
| Future renewals | You may see new price or tariff adjustments with the new operator. | Keep up to date with official communications from your registrar |
| Domain transfers | Standard flows (unlock + auth code) will continue, but with the new backend. | Ensure you have updated contact details and valid codes. |
| Special domains (.edu.co, .gov.co, etc.) | May require further verification and compliance with new standards | Check new requirements at registrocolombia.co or with your registrar. |
| Foreign users or global brands with .CO | The .CO domain continues to be globally enabled; its international projection will be boosted. | Take advantage of international demand and positioning campaigns for .CO |
What steps should a ClickPanda user take to be prepared?
Verify contact information (email, phone, address) to make sure you don't miss registration notifications.
Check renewal dateIf your domain is about to expire soon, it is advisable to anticipate the renewal to avoid problems during the change of operator.
Request / save current auth-code in case you need to transfer in the future.
Keep an eye out for official announcementsClickPanda and your registrar will issue guidelines, technical changes or new processes.
Check if your special domains require new documents (for .gov.co, .edu.co, etc.).
No unnecessary transfers during the transition period without first consulting technical support.
Comparison of old vs. new operation of .CO
| Appearance | Before (GoDaddy as backend) | Now (PuntoCo Team) |
|---|---|---|
| Technical operator | GoDaddy Registry | Team Internet + CCI REG (Equipo PuntoCo) (Team Internet) |
| Duration of contract | Previous contracts (partial, concessions) | 10 years (2025-2035) (El Tiempo) |
| State Participation | Lower percentage of revenues | 92 % for State, 8 % for operator (Team Internet) |
| Local focus | Foreign company with dominant role | Mixed operator with strong Colombian control |
| Technical/commercial potential | Maturity but with limitations of the previous contract | Possible innovation, improvements, tool modernization |
| Risks | Less local control, external dependence | Transition risks, policy adjustments and tariffs |
Conclusion
This change marks a new era for the .CO domain in Colombia: more local control, greater return for the State and an opportunity to strengthen the national digital ecosystem. But in order for you -as a businessman, entrepreneur or digital owner- not to be harmed, it is vital to be informed and act in advance.
At ClickPanda we are attentive to this change: we are already preparing adaptations to our systems, customer guides and specialized support to keep your .CO domains running smoothly.
