DotAsia is a Meaningful Addition to the Internet Namespace

["Edmon Chung" <edmon@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Looking at the comments from different parties who are less supportive of the 
DotAsia initiative, there are a few things I would like to express my thoughts 
on.

There is an argument that, "Approval of ".Asia" requires approval of other 
regional TLDs".  While I am very supportive of this "type" of gTLDs, the 
argument is nevertheless somewhat analogous to saying that if ICANN approves a 
TLD for one "industry", it must approve all industries at the same time.  
Rather than treating it as a special "type" therefore, the DotAsia initiative 
understands that it is most suited to be established as a Sponsored gTLD.  Each 
"region" have their own specific characteristics, and when and if a proposal is 
put before ICANN, I believe it should be considered seriously and 
independently.  It is different therefore, for Asia, or Arabia, or Pacific or 
Africa or any other region.  The approach I believe should be representative of 
the community it intends to serve.

For Asia, the Internet community is a uniquely, coherent and collaborative and 
have been a thriving and successful community for a long time.  You can observe 
from the success at APNIC, APNG and APTLD, as well as AP* (joint discussion 
forum for all AP groups).  Moreover, ccTLDs often contribute a lot to the 
community, and many and most of the ccTLDs maintain a positive and close 
relationship with their respective governments.  Part of the vision of the 
DotAsia initiative is to leverage this collaborative platform that is 
experienced in the Internet community to other areas, industries and economies.

As Asia recovers from the recent economic setbacks, it becomes increasingly 
important for local companies to explore markets beyond their immediate 
neighbourhood, into the regional marketplace.  I believe that the Internet is 
likely going to play an important role in this transformation.  The DotAsia 
initiative aspires to be a catalyst for this meaningful movement.  This does 
not take away from the value of ccTLDs who will continue to thrive and cater to 
the local market, and as broadband develops, in fact, the physical localization 
of communities within the Internet becomes a very important aspect (as 
contrasted with the global perspective).  Moreover, the DotAsia initiative is 
committed to working with ccTLDs in the region to create win-win situations, 
and in fact ccTLDs form a fundamental part of the organisational structure of 
the DotAsia organisation.  Therefore, rather than confusion, it should be a 
great synergy with the ccTLDs, as the DotAsia initiative works together with 
the local registries to educate the end-users about the different choices and 
opportunites to better utilize the available namespaces on the Internet.

Speaking of whether the DotAsia proposal is a Sponsored TLD, first of all, as I 
mentioned, it is the original intent for DotAsia to be a Sponsored gTLD because 
it is the best place for it to be.  Whether Sponsored or Unsponsored, both 
types are "gTLDs" and therefore by ICANN definition is generic in nature.  A 
key feature of the Sponsored gTLD is that it allows the sponsor to retain 
certain policy making responsibilities.  In the case of DotAsia, this is 
important, for example, as we look to augment the WIPO/GAC/ICANN reserved 
domain list with additional reserved lists to ensure a more relevant context 
and to protect the rights of people, and most importantly for the benefit of 
the community served.  The boundaries of the community is consistently defined 
by the DotAsia initiative, and most importantly, there is common needs and 
interests that are clearly differentiated from those of the general global 
Internet community.

Finally, I would like to add that I believe that ".Asia" is a viable and 
sustainable namestring that would bring good benefits to the community it 
intends to serve, and more over would be a valuable addition to the global 
Internet community.  The endeavour is not "restricted" to the Asia "region" as 
with the nature of gTLDs, but for example, as international companies look to 
establish presence in Asia, it would allow them to use a meaningful and 
representative online identity.

All in all, I truly believe that the DotAsia registry provides an online 
identity that has global recognition and regional significance, and the DotAsia 
organisation has a framework that ensures broad representation and a 
community-based bottom-up approach in governance.  While the participation from 
ccTLDs provide expertise in operating a TLD registry and balancing the 
interests of governments and the general public, the involvement by Asia and 
Asia Pacific community groups provide knowledge base and experience in broad 
consensus building.  Coupled together, these ensure a representative governance 
that is responsible to and will operate in the best interests of the community.

These are some of my personal thoughts and observation.

Edmon



PS.  I have been involved with the DotAsia initiative for a long time now, and 
I continue to be enthusiastic about the project and see great benefits for the 
community it intends to serve as well as sustainable value to the global 
Internet.