The TRA and the .ae domain name
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is the General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunications Sector in the UAE The .ae Domain Name is under TRA jurisdiction The TRA is reviewing the framework, governance and administration of .ae
The TRA and the .ae domain name
Review is currently taking place and will be completed by the end of 2006 Review being performed with the assistance of external consultancy to provide;
• • •
‘Global’ perspective Experience Expertise
.ae – the TRA’s vision
“To make the .ae Domain Name the definitive and default location where the internet using public of the United Arab Emirates can be represented on the World Wide Web”
.ae – a short history
UAEnic (United Arab Emirates Network Information Center) has administered the .ae domain since 1995 UAEnic will pass IANA delegation of .ae to the TRA The global growth of the internet use has led to a significant integration with business Strategic framework and infrastructure required to accommodate further growth of .ae
.ae – a short history
Number of .ae Domain Name Registrations
.ae industry structure (proposed)
.aeDA (.ae Domain Administration) •
Established by the TRA as an independent, self funding, legal entity
•
Focussed on educating the public, delivering and promoting the .ae Domain
•
Development and execution of policy
•
Accreditation and maintenance of Registrars
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Facilitate .ae Dispute Resolution Policy
•
Represent .ae at ICANN and other international forums
.ae industry structure (proposed)
.aeDA will manage Registry Technical Function Utilise “world’s best practice” systems and technology;
• • •
Oracle Database EPP v1.0 (RFC 3730) “Real time” Dynamic DNS updating
The implementation of this technology will lead to;
• • •
Faster resolution of DNS Higher DNS availability Increased System reliability
.ae industry structure (proposed)
.aeDA to introduce ‘multiple Registrar model’ to “retail” .ae domain names This will result in;
• • • •
Increased competition in the marketplace More competitive pricing and service offerings International Registrars Uniform Registration Platform
.ae industry structure (proposed) Registry • The physical operation of the Registry is retained in UAE and the direct responsibility of the .aeDA
TRA
.aeDA ---------------------Registry Operator
Registrar
Registrar
Resellers
•
For the foreseeable future .aeDA will manage the Registry within its organisation
Registrars • TRA envisages that there will be a growth in accredited .ae Registrars •
Accredited Registrars will be able to purchase .ae domains directly from .aeDA on wholesale prices and then retail com mercially to registrants
Resellers •
In addition, TRA expects that resellers (of Registrars) will emerge where they have existing relationships with internet customers
Registrants • TRA is expecting the number and range of registrants to increase over the first five years of the new framework.
Registrants
.ae domain names Review of current .ae domain name structure Name
Domain Name Eligibility
.ae
Open
.co.ae
UAE businesses
.gov.ae
UAE government departments
.net.ae
UAE network service providers
.org.ae
UAE non profit organizations
.sch.ae
UAE private and public schools
.mil.ae
UAE military authorities
.ac.ae
UAE academic organizations such as Universities, Colleges or Educational Institutes
.pro.ae
UAE professionals such as lawyers, doctors
.name.ae
Individuals residing in UAE (Citizens)
.ae domain names Review will determine if new policy is to be introduced for each zone (second level domain) For example;
• • • • •
Open up .ae for global Registrants Reintroduce .co.ae exclusively for UAE business Remove “outdated” policy Ensure cultural values are maintained Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs)
.ae domain names All decisions will be made with a minimal impact to constituents No DNS downtime as a result of transition!! Transition arrangements for legacy data (existing names) Best practice naming conventions to be used, where appropriate, for ease of use “Future proof� the namespace
.ae domain names Review of Pricing Model • • •
Ensure consistent to product offering Ensure benchmarked to global names (other ccTLD’s and gTLD’s) Potentially reduce pricing over time (.aeDA non profit entity)
Review Registration Terms
• • • •
Reflect administration/ market purposes WhoIs data integrity Utilisation of Domain Names not in use Brand Protection
.aeDA Implementation Timeline Indicative Timelines;
2006
2007
Q4
Q1
Conduct Review of existing framework
Establish new Structure (.aeDA) Begin Marketing
2008 Q2 Migrate to new Operation (Implementation of Registry Technology)
Q3
Q4
Launch new .ae capability
For any questions please contact the TRA at the following address; aedomain@tra.ae