Re: .mobi Sponsored Top Level Domain application

["Karen Yagnesak" <KarenY@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To ICANN and the ICANN Community:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = 
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 I am writing in support of the .mobi Sponsored Top Level Domain (STLD) 
application submitted by the Nokia Corporation, VodaFone Group and Microsoft, 
Inc. (hereinafter collectively known as the "Group").

The .mobi application is one of 10 applications submitted to ICANN under its 
Request For Proposal issued on December 15, 2003.  The proposal submitted by 
the Group provides a clear strategy and rationale for a new TLD and is 
supported firmly by the criteria established and set out by ICANN. Overall, the 
application demonstrates a thorough analysis of what would likely be involved 
in implementing a new .mobi TLD including a careful explanation of all relevant 
issues, and a well-articulated assessment of the business, financial, 
technical, operational, and marketing requirements.

Summary of Proposal:

The Group's application applies to mobile Internet devices. With the market for 
mobile devices projected to reach 2.2 billion by 2006, a TLD targeted 
exclusively at the mobile market is without a doubt one of the best 
utilizations of the existing DNS.  As mobile devices proliferate, the need for 
sites with optimized Internet content and services will only become greater and 
greater.

Application of Criteria

The application clearly meets or exceeds the criteria established by ICANN in 
that .mobi:

1.      maintains the Internet's stability

2.      enhances the utility of the DNS

3.      meets an unmet need of the Internet and communications community.

Stability

Given the Group's formidable prowess, the presented proposal would clearly 
provide for stable operation of the proposed TLD. Moreover, given the 
proliferation of the mobile device and the convergence with the Internet and 
the DNS, the TLD will likely be widely adopted and have broad market 
acceptance, thus proffering up a more stable DNS. 

Nokia, VodaFone, Microsoft, and its other partners have impressive capabilities 
in the communications and technology fields, and the application reflects the 
professionalism and expertise they would bring to building out a new TLD within 
the present DNS system. 

Enhancement of Utility of the DNS

Given the different standards presently be served up on websites today, mobi is 
arguably a more technically sound way to achieve the functionality of matching 
a communications device to DNS name and directory servers. The Group's 
application appears to sensibly add to the existing DNS hierarchy, does not 
appear to create or add confusion to the existing DNS hierarchy, and is 
semantically far from existing TLD's.

Meets an unmet Need of the Internet and Communications Community

The surge in business and consumer use of mobile Internet devices has led to a 
greater and greater demand for applications and content.  With a .mobi TLD, 
businesses and consumers will have a wide range of Internet services available 
in a format that is standardized and homogenized.  With the truly global reach 
of mobile devices, a new TLD will enable scores of users to better communicate 
and transact using a DNS platform.  Moreover, a new .mobi TLD will promote 
innovation and additional investment in applications that can leverage the new 
TLD.  The result will be a broad-based advancement in communication and 
technology.

In summary, the Group's .mobi application meets or exceeds the requirements and 
criterion set forth by ICANN and is perfectly aligned with the expansion of the 
DNS.  The utility of the domain will undoubtedly serve the Internet community 
for years to come.

Sincerely yours,

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" 
/>Dave Rae

Chief Strategy Officer

FindWhat.com

DaveR@xxxxxxxxxxxx