Introduction: registry models DNS Entrepreneurship Centre, April 2015 Emily Taylor

n  Introduction to critical Internet resources and the domain name system

n  Domain names world wide and in the region n  Registry structures, the choices n  Examples of different models in action

Agenda

n  What are Critical Internet Resources? •  Lightweight, globally distributed system that keeps the

Internet functioning (domain names, IP addresses): •  Essential for web browsing, email, certificates, user

identifiers, Internet of Things, and much, much more

n  What do they have in common? •  Each one has to be unique •  Each one has to be universally resolvable

n  Otherwise, there will no longer be a single internet

Critical Internet Resources

The Domain Name System

‘The IANA Function’ – the most powerful point in the hierarchy

A strict hierarchy is necessary. Each node has to have a single manager to ensure: •  Uniqueness of each

domain •  Universal resolution

Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs)

Country Code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs)

google.com europa.eu

Domain names worldwide

TLD distribution: strong in North America and Europe

Internationalised domain names - IDNs

IDN numbers

Internationalised domain names by region

Arabic script IDNs growth

What about new gTLDs?

Arabic script new gTLDs

n  Dot Shabaka •  Launched November 2014 •  2,000 domains (March 2015) •  Registry reports low user awareness, problems with using

(universal acceptance)

n  Dot Mawqe • Most searched Arabic term •  Launched in January 2015 •  2,800 domains (March 2015) and high usage rates •  Al Jazeera, Aramco have registered •  Registry manager happy, reports that one site had 1m

visitors in 24 hours •  All registrations are from the region, mostly Saudi Arabia

Al-Jazeera adopts dotmawqe

Registry structures – what are the choices?

The domain name supply chain

n  Registry deals direct with registrant n  No registrars n  Advantages for registry:

•  Complete control over quality of service •  Can apply eligibility criteria directly •  Does not have to invest in standardised technical

equipment (eg EPP)

n  Disadvantages for registry: •  Narrow distribution channel •  Fewer incentives to implement standardised technologies •  Support for registrants can be expensive – do you offer

‘value add’ services? •  Registration numbers tend to be lower

Direct registrations

n  Registry has direct contract with registrant n  Registry has direct contract with registrars n  Registrar and registrant have a direct contract n  Advantages for registry:

•  Complete control over quality of service •  Can apply eligibility criteria directly •  Does not have to invest in standardised technical

equipment (eg EPP)

n  Disadvantages for registry: •  Narrow distribution channel •  Higher retail prices (through resellers) •  Registration numbers tend to be lower

Triangle of contracts

Registry-registrar

n  Registry has a network of registrars n  Each registrar contracts direct with registrants n  Advantages for registry

•  This has become the industry standard •  Cheaper support costs (registrars do the support) • Wider distribution channel, volumes tend to increase •  Value add services are pushed downstream

n  Disadvantages for registry • Quality assurance can be difficult •  Investment in standardised technologies •  Complex policies can be difficult to automate

Registry models Some examples from outside the region

n  It’s usually much easier to get accredited in ccTLDs

n  …but the policies and technical set up will often be different

n  From World Report on IDNs, 2012:

Local accreditation vs ICANN accreditation

n  Domain names are critical Internet resources

n  There are different types of domain names

n  Global domain name registrations are uneven

n  Country code registries adopt different models

n  Start local, think global

Review of key points