I'm sure they'll raise it again next year.
The 2006 ICANN/VeriSign agreement highpoints are;
1) VeriSign will continue to manage the .COM registry until 2012
2) It allows VeriSign to increase domain prices 4 of those 6 years. (2006-2012)
3) The increase is capped at 7% per year.
4) They (VeriSign) are required to announce increases 6 months in advance.
5) Assuming (safely I'd say) they do the max the 1st 4 yrs a .COM will wholesale @ $7.86
That's what all Registrars will be paying so it's anybody's guess what the retail price will be.