DotConnectAfrica Comments - Module 1

[DotAfrica Exec Director <support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

*From Ethiopia:*
 *Module 1*
1.1.5 The document states that ICANN should guarantee in writing in the
document that states "it can be expected to be substantially cheaper when it
can be expected that IDN applicants from poorer countries could afford to
participate.... and that the goal is to have the next round in a year .

1.5.1 (a) The fees in general are exorbitant for a process that is simple
automated, with the exception of  the dispute resolution which is outsourced
and separately paid for by the applicants.

(b) A separate Registry Services Review fee is very much unreasonable on top
of a $185 000 fee for application, especially since as ICANN claims the
frequency is going to be very low.
(c) If ICANN's goal was to to have diverse applicants to include developing
countries in particular for IDN scripts from poorer parts of the world the
$185000 fee is too high by any standard.  Particularly given that ICANN's
revenue is towards 80mill,  this fee should not imposed.

(d) ICANN singling out a credit of $86,000 refundable money that applicants
lost almost a decade ago to ICANN seems unfair since there are many current
potential  applicants that can claim the same since they have also money is
being spent while waiting, for years and until  ICANN's continuing promises
of the new gTLds.
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