Radix, one of the leading registries in the new gTLD space, has reached an agreement with auction partners Tucows (NASDAQ:TCX; TSX:TC) and Namecheap to assume full ownership and operation of the .online TLD.

Radix has already launched some of the most recognizable new gTLDs with .website, .host, .press and .space. With .online, they now own the first truly generic, truly global, viable alternative to .com.

“Online” is the most commonly used word to end domain names, with over 550K .com domain names today ending with the word “online.” In addition, the .online extension has been amongst the top most pre-registered names across registrars.

Tucows, the leading wholesale registrar, and Namecheap, one of the most popular retail registration services, will both continue to work closely with Radix as marketing and distribution partners. The three companies represent a formidable supply chain from registry to registrar to retailer, with the potential to deliver .online to tens of millions of small businesses around the world.

But Radix emerged as the party with the greatest focus on operating a registry.

“We began this partnership and this bid process way back in Spring 2013,” explained Tucows CEO Elliot Noss. “Since then, we have started investing more heavily in our telecom business with Ting. NameCheap, likewise, has increased its singular focus on delivering an outstanding retail domain name experience.”

Noss continued, “Meanwhile, Radix has emerged as one of the most ambitious and capable domain name registries in the world. We still believe that .online has huge potential as a fresh alternative to .com. We are confident that Radix is the right company to run it and both Tucows and Namecheap are thrilled to play our rightful part in its success.”

Radix CEO Bhavin Turakhia concluded simply, “The initial response to new gTLDs has been fantastic and .online has far greater potential than anything we or anyone else has launched to date. We are delighted to call it ours.”

The terms of the final agreement between the three parties is not disclosed.