.hamburg comments to DAG3

[""Oliver J. Süme"" <sueme@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The .hamburg top-level domain initiative founded in 2007 is an  
association
open to any Hamburg associated institution, organization and individual.
With .hamburg we are aiming to create a unique identity for all  
Hamburgers.
For the 3rd Draft Applicant Guidebook we have the following comments:

.hamburg will create Choice and Competition
*******************************************
The .hamburg TLD will create more choice for Hamburgers to register a
suitable domain name since the .de namespace is already overcrowded with
more than 13M domain names. The .hamburg domain names will also create a
competitive advantage over existing TLDs. If a Hamburg based carpet  
shop can
reach a better search engine position with a US$ 50.00 www.carpet.hamburg
than with a US$ 20.00 www.carpet-online.net then the initially more
expensive .hamburg domain name offer significant cost savings.

Hamburg has a clear Demand for its cityTLD
******************************************
cityTLDs are always mixed up with other new gTLDs in the discussion on
economic parameters. First of all the studies the German Internet
Association eco e.V. has conducted show that e.g. 80% of businesses  
would be
interested to register a .hamburg domain name and 43% of individuals  
prefer
www.mayor.hamburg as their preferred domain name to find the Hamburg  
mayor.
Secondly we do not see any economic consultant or ICANN or any other  
party
except of the City of Hamburg in the position to decide if a city  
Hamburg
has a demand for its own identity. It should just simply be mentioned  
in the
upcoming economic studies that there is a significant demand of cities  
for
their own TLD, based on the initiatives which a are already announced  
their
interest for a TLD.

Hamburg needs a Timeline!
*************************
We and with us the government of the City of Hamburg and other major
institutions in Hamburg are seriously concerned about ICANN's  
inability to
proceed with the introduction of new gTLDs. ICANN has consistently  
missed
the announced deadlines in the process, especially during the last two
years. This in not acceptable to us and many others. Therefore we urge  
ICANN
to proceed with the introduction of new gTLDs.

Oliver Süme
Chair of Initiative dotHamburg e.V.

Initiative dotHamburg e.V.
Gertigstrasse 28
22303 Hamburg
Germany

Fon: +49 (0) 40 380 89 80
Fax: +49 (0) 40 380 89 810

sueme@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.dothamburg.de