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Географическая локализация cctld
Региональные cctld домены Регистратуры  |
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The ccTLD Governance Project, a research project of Professor Michael Geist of the University of Ottawa, examines the relationship between national governments and their country-code domains. Phase one of the project, which was completed in 2002, reviewed the relationships in 45 countries based on publicly-available documentation and correspondence with ccTLD operators. The preliminary findings include:
- Ten ccTLDsare government agencies or departments. In these cases the relationship is typically formalized between government and agency.
- Nine ccTLDs are private, for-profit enterprises. Of these two (United States, Japan) have a established a contractual relationship with the government, three have established an informal relationship, and four have no relationship with the government.
- 20 ccTLDsare non-profit organizations. Four have formal, contractual relationships with their governments along with an ICANN agreement that governs their relationship. Five do not have a government relationship. Ten ccTLDs have informal relations with their government, of these, at least 3 are awaiting formalization of their relationship in the near future (Russia, South Africa, Italy).
- One ccTLDis managed by an individual. It is battling government attempts to take over the ccTLD management.
- Five ccTLDs are academic institutions; of these two have no relationship with their government. Two ccTLDs (Guatemala, Colombia) have battled takeover attempts by their government.
Methodology The government-ccTLD relationships have been categorized in the following manner:
Formal:
- Where ccTLD is part of government, or
- Where there is an official agreement or contract between the ccTLD and government.
Informal:
- Where ccTLD has a working relationship with government, or
- Where the ccTLD is sanctioned by government, without an official agreement, but with some contact.
None:
- Where there is no relationship with the government, or
- the ccTLD operates with government sanction, but no contact.
Data for this project was obtained from ccTLD websites, ccTLD contacts and GAC representatives between June and September 2002. The following questions were posed:
- What type of relationship exists between the ccTLD and the government?
- Has legislation been enacted on ccTLD governance or ccTLD-Government relationship?
- Has any other government activity such as a memorandum of understanding or a government review of ccTLD management been pursued?
- Is there an agreement with ICANN?
Argentina
Name: Computer and Network Department of the Argentinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores Comercio Internacional y Culto Reconquista - MRECIC)
Type:Government Agency
Relationship with Government: Formal
The .AR ccTLD was established in September 1987. Its administration was originally delegated to the UNDP Project AR-86/026 which was developed at the Ministry.
Some years later, when the old Project's personnel went to work under direct contract with the Ministry, the ccTLD manager data at the IANA database was amended to reflect the updated Ministry's name and address as 'Sponsoring Organization'. In 1994/1995 the name 'NIC-Argentina' was adopted for the function, and shortly afterwards a website for automated registration was established at the Ministry's HQ, in addition to the already existent primary and secondary DNS.
Armenia
Name: Internet Society AM
Type:Non-profit
Relationship with Government: Informal
The Armenian Internet Society (ISOC AM) manages the .am ccTLD through the Armenia Network Information Center (AMNIC), which is the .am registry.
The ISOC AM is run by representatives of the Armenian Internet community. A government representative is the organization's vice-president.
Australia
Name: AuDA
Type:Non-profit
Relationship with Government: Formal
Endorsed by the Australian government December 2000. Endorsement was contingent upon auDA demonstrating to Government its ability to meet several criteria.
Subject to the ultimate authority of NOIE (National Office for Information Economy) for national policy interests and ICANN for global technical-coordination interests.
Government has observer status on auDA board.
Signed sponsorship agreement with ICANN on October 25, 2001
Legislation: The Telecommunication Legislation Amendment Bill of December 2000 amends the Telecommunication Act 1997 (Subsection 474 (1) and 475 (3) ) and Australian Communications Authority Act 1997 (Section 4) clarify the Australian government's ability to "declare" and "direct" a manager of electronic addressing and assume responsibility if self-regulation prove inappropriate.
Austria
Name: Internet Foundation Austria
Type:Non-profit Corporation
Relationship with Government: Informal
Civil servants of the Ministry of Public and Traffic and the regulator are members of the Domain Council (which decides fundamental issues of registration policy) and actively participate in setting the guiding principles of the .at domain name policy.
The civil servants participate in "a professional, personal role" and not as delegates of the ministry.
Internet Foundation Austria (IPA) was created and is managed by ISPA (Internet Service Provider Austria). The purpose of the trust is to foster and advance the Internet in Austria, in particular to fulfill the administration of the .at top level domain as a trustee of the local Internet community and in the public interest.
Before the foundation of nic.at, domain registrations were handled by the University of Vienna.
Legislation: The government has a supervisory role according to the Telecommunications Act (100/97 s.61 TKG), which highlights the public interest in a functioning domain administration as far as unfettered provision and access to public networks and services is concerned.
Belgium
Name: DNS.be
Type:Non-profit
Relationship with Government: Informal
Advisory members of DNS.be include the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Belgian Institute of Postal and Telecommunications Services (the regulating entity of the postal and telecommunication sector in Belgium).
Burundi
Name: CNI (Centre National de l'Informatique)
Type:Non-profit
Relationship with Government: Formal
In 2001, IANA received a request to change the technical contact and sponsoring organization from an informal, out-of-country operation of the .bi ccTLD to the local Centre National de l'Informatique (CNI). According to the request, the technical management of .bi was to be performed by CBINET, a subsidiary of CNI providing Internet services in Burundi.
CNI signed an ICANN-ccTLD Manager Memorandum of Understanding in May 2002, and a redelegation agreement with ICANN July 16, 2002.
The Ministry of Communication of the Republic of Burundi endorsed the redelegation to CNI and the MOU in March 2002.
CBINET, the technical contact, has been regulated by Burundi legislation since August 1998.
Canada
Name: CIRA
Type:Not-for-profit corporation
Relationship with Government: Formal
The .ca was delegated to John Demco of University of British Columbia in 1987.
In 1997, the Canadian Internet community set up a public consultation about .ca (through the Canadian Domain Name Consultative Committee - CDNCC). They recommended that a private-sector, not-for-profit corporation be set up to take over the administration of .ca. A framework for for the administration of the .ca domain name system was outlined by the committee in a 1998 report.
In 1998, CIRA, the Canadian Internet Registration Agency, was incorporated.
In a 1999 letter the Canadian Government recognized CIRA as the new administrator of the .ca domain. In this letter general principles were set out that it expected CIRA to adhere to in its management of .ca.
In May 2000, an Umbrella Agreement was signed between the government, CIRA and UBC which provided for an orderly transition for the management of the domain space as well as highlighted mechanisms that facilitate input from the Government. The agreement was structured so that the redelegation came from ICANN and not the Canadian government.
The agreement lays the base for a legal relationship between CIRA and the Government of Canada that ensures that those two entities and ICANN can perform their respective responsibilities for stable operation. Governmental guidance is stated in broad, public-interest terms, and requires that any governmental action to replace CIRA be justified by substantial reasons.
1 out of 13 directors of CIRA represents the government of Canada in an ex-officio capacity.
In October 2000, a letter was sent to ICANN on behalf of the government of Canada to formally designate CIRA as the .ca delegee.
China
Name: China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC)
Type:Public Institution
Relationship with Government: Formal
Business management of CNNIC is by the Ministry of Information Industry. Administrative management of CNNIC is by the Chinese Academy of Science. CNNIC Work Committee supervises and evaluates the construction and administration of CNNIC.
Christmas Island
Name: Dot CX Limited
Type:non-profit corporation
Relationship with Government: Formal
Dot CX Limited is a community owned, non profit entity.
The formal redelegation of .cx to Dot CX was endorsed by the territorial government (Shire) on 09.07.00 and by the Commonwealth of Australia on 19.02.02. According to Australia' endorsement agreement, the administration of the .cx ccTLD is subject to the ultimate authority of Australia and redelegation may occur in circumstances such as insolvency of Dot CX, technical incompetence and loss of community support.
A final MOU between the Commonwealth and Dot CX based on the Australian endorsement was executed on March 26, 2003.
A Sponsorship agreement with ICANN is under discussion, awaiting clarification on key points in the Commonwealth-CX MOU
Mexico
Name: NIC-Mexico
Type:Academic
Relationship with Government: Informal
NIC-Mexico is based at the University of Monterrey, Technology Center (ITESM), but is independently administrated.
A committee from the The Trade and Industrial Promotion Commission has been looking at the development of NIC. A working group at the 2001 meeting proposed regulation of the ccTLD in its conclusion. The committee also considered whether the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) should run the ccTLD.
Working sessions on domain names held in Fall 2002 concluded that domain names should not be treated as trademarks, and therefore the IMPI would not be the proper organization to run the ccTLD. Instead, it was recognized that ITESM has been performing effectively and thus, it would be advisable for the government of Mexico to conduct the appropriate formalities in order to grant NIC-Mйxico an official acknowledgment. However, it was agreed that IMPI and ITESM should have a closer relationship in order to exchange record information efficiently.
Mauritania
Name: NIC Mauritanie
Type:Academic
Relationship with Government: None
Administered by the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Nouakchott with the blessing of the Office of Post and Communication.
Malawi
Name: Malawi SDNP
Type:Government Agency
Relationship with Government: Formal
Malawi SDNP (Sustainable Development Network Programme) is a UNDP funded government programme that assists with the development of the Internet in Malawi.
Malawi has recently signed (June 28, 02) a ccTLD-ICANN MOU which confirms the ccTLD management
Malaysia
Name: MYNIC (Malaysian Network Information Centre)
Type:Government Agency
Relationship with Government: Formal
MYNIC is a division of MIMOS Berhad, a mission-oriented research and development (R&D) government agency. It acts as registry and registrar for the .my domain, and decides Internet policy issues.
Libya
Name: Nic.ly
Type:Private Sector
Relationship with Government: None
The IANA listed ccTLD for .ly is Alshaeen for Information Technology, a Tripoli based company. According to ICANN the registry does not exist.
Al Foursan International Co is calling itself the ".LY cc TLD Manager", led by a Dr. Tayeb. It is registering domain names under nic.ly on a website called www.lydomains.com which includes a whois service.
According to ICANN/IANA, neither Dr. Tayeb nor Al Foursan International Co. has been appointed as a ccTLD manager, but are called "caretakers". Libya has a redelegation pending, but in the meanwhile ICANN is letting Dr. Tayeb run the .ly registrations.
Libya is a member of the GAC, which suggests that it is concerned with ccTLD issues.
Korea
Name: Korea Network Information Center (KRNIC)
Type:Non-profit organization
Relationship with Government: Formal
KRNIC was established by the government to oversee .kr Internet addresses and domain name policy.
KRNIC obtained approval on June 21st 1999 from the Ministry of Information and Commerce to operate as a non-profit foundation| to top |
Japan
Name: Japan Registry Service Co. (JPRS)
Type:Private Sector
Relationship with Government: Formal
The ccTLD was originally held by a foundation, the Japan Network Information Center, which transformed in 1997 to a non-profit corporation. A new company was established in 2000 to manage the ccTLD more profitably.
JPNIC transferred its management responsibility to JPRS based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by and between JPRS and JPNIC on 9 November 2001. After being informed in writing of the execution of this Memorandum, the Japanese governmental authority endorsed it on January 30 2002.
A January 2002 letter from the Minister of Public Management, Home Affairs, Post and Telecommunications to Stewart Lynn ensures the public interest in the .jp top level domain and emphasizes the most important parts of the MOU:| to top |
Article 6 sets out the responsibilities for JPRS.
Article 7, the "Securement of Public Interest" stipulates that the Japanese Governmental Authority and JPNIC will examine cooperatively whether JPRS complies with the responsibilities set out in Article 6.
If JPRS violates any Article 6 responsibility, necessary measures such as a correction directive and, in case of continuous breach, redelegation shall be taken by the Japanese Governmental Authority and JPNIC.
On 27 February 2002, ICANN and JPRS entered into a ccTLD Sponsorship Agreement under which JPRS is recognized as the manager of the .jp ccTLD.
Italy
Name: Italian Naming Authority
Type:Non-Profit Organization
Relationship with Government: Informal
Although the activities of the Italian Naming Authority are under the auspices of MURST (Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology), it was decided that the ccTLD should be handled autonomously.
Recently there have been efforts to formalize the management of the Italian Internet and to involve government representatives in the ccTLD. To that extent, the Registration Authority, in charge of assigning '.it' domain names, and the Naming authority that regulates them, will be merging into a new entity by the name of 'Nick.it Antonio Meucci'. It will be managed by a board of five directors, three appointed by the Government, and by a technical committee of fifteen members that will manage the assignment and regulation of '.it' domain names in Italy.
A commission has been established to coordinate the participation of Italy in the GAC, and to start the debate on how to participate in the agreement with ICANN for the delegation of the TLD .it.
It is also anticipated that the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications will produce a complete set of rules on the running of the cctld.
Israel
Name: Israeli Internet Association
Type:Non-Profit Organization
Relationship with Government: None
The Israeli Chapter of the ISOC is the ccTLD.
The registry operates without legislation or government involvement (though with government's blessing). An analysis by the Ministry of Justice on the need for regulation or legislation was done, and the decision was that there is no such need.
Ireland
Name: IEDR
Type:Non-Profit Corporation
Relationship with Government: None
The ccTLD was transferred from University College Dublin in 2001. The Irish government is content to let the existing administration continue operation.
Legislation: The Irish government has enacted legislation, Irish Electronic Commerce Act. 2000, Article 31, which allows it to take control of the .ie ccTLD. The legislation is a fall-back in case there is ever a crisis in the operation of the ccTLD.
Indonesia
Name: IDNIC
Type:Private Sector
Relationship with Government: Informal
The Indonesian ccTLD currently operates without any legislation or government interference.
Talks are underway to get the government more involved. Draft legislation to this effect has been written (April 2002).
India
Name: National Centre for Software Technology (NCST)
Type:Government Agency
Relationship with Government: Formal
NCST is a scientific R & D institution under the Ministry of Information Technology (MIT).
Policy is overseen by The Internet Management Group, a committee formed by the Government of India, whose members include representatives from the MIT, NCST and various business interests.
Hong Kong
Name: Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC)
Type:Non-profit corporation
Relationship with Government: Formal
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the HKIRC in April 2002 to designate the corporation as the ".hk" domain name administrator. The MOU encompasses a tripartite relationship amongst ICANN, the Government and the HKIRC.
The government is represented on the board of directors to provide input pertaining to public policies. The Information Technology Services Department represents the HKSARG as an ex-officio director at the HKIRC Board to provide the necessary steer and assistance.
The HKIRC was established as a private, non-profit-making and non-statutory organization in order to be more flexible in responding to new situations.
Guatemala
Name: Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG)
Type:Academic
Relationship with Government: None
Although the .gt ccTLD is currently operating without government involvement, the government did attempt to assume control in February 2000:| to top |
The university had been administrating the ccTLD since 1995 - however since the university did not have the connection capability at that point it was decided to operate the DNS from the National Council for Science and Technology (CONCyT), an organization from the Ministry of Economy.
Operations were moved in 2000 to the University following numerous public complaints about the service. Written agreement from the Secretary General of CONCyT was received.
The Secretary General was removed from the position and some members of CONCyT complained to the VP of Guatuamula that the University had moved the DNS without consultation.
The Government asserted they had rights over the .gt ccTLD, and that the ccTLD was being illegally administered. They wanted the DNS immediately transferred to them. The University refused, stating they had to consult IANA.
The Government dropped the demand after other political events in the country demanded more attention. There has not been any resolution of the issue.
Ghana
Name: Network Computer Systems (NCS)
Type:Private Sector
Relationship with Government: None
NCS is the premier Internet and computer services provider in Ghana. NCS is the trustee of the top level country domain GH and also the authorized local internet registrar for West Africa.
Germany
Name: DENIC
Type:Non-profit
Relationship with Government: Informal
There is neither legislation nor a contract in place.
DENIC is in permanent contact with representatives of the Federal government, and a representative of both the Ministry of Economics and Ministry of Justice are observers in DENIC's legal advisory council. The council has a purely advisory function.
The federal government is satisfied with DENIC's work and sees no need to step in. This position has been confirmed in an answer to a parliamentary query.
Colombia
Name: NIC Colombia
Type:Academic
Relationship with Government: Informal
NIC Colombia operates under the auspices of the University of Colombia.
The Colombian government passed a resolution in December 2001 to assume the management of the ccTLD. That takeover has yet to occur.
An analysis of the resolution by Erick Iriate finds that domain name policy in Colombia should not be regulated by telecommunications legislation. He suggests a consultative committee with government representatives would be a more viable alternative for Colombia.
Legislation: Radicaciуn 1376 del Consejo de Estado (Sala de Consulta y Servicio Civil) sobre Nombres de Dominio. (link to document)| to top |
Czech Republic
Name: CZ.NIC
Type:Non-Profit Organization
Relationship with Government: Formal
CZ.NIC has been the .cz ccTLD manager since January 9, 1999. Previously the manager was EUnet Czechia.
Currently, the management of .cz is done in cooperation with the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Transport and Communications and Office for the Protection of Competition.
Denmark
Name: DIFO (Dansk Internet Forum)
Type:Non-Profit Organization
Relationship with Government: Informal
DIFO was established in 1999 by users and companies with relations to the Danish Internet. It is an independent legal body with its own executive committee.
DIFO's establishment was sanctioned by the Ministry of Information Technology and Research in 1999.
ICANN agreed to DIFO's role as ccTLD in February 2000.
The Danish Government has no control over DIFO's work. There are informal contacts and talks that occasionally take place between DIFO and The Ministry of Information Technology and Research.
El Salvador
Name: SVNet
Type:Government
Relationship with Government: Informal
SVNET is an informal, non-profit organization composed of two universities and the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), a government agency. CONACYT acts as the logistical centre, while decision making is shared amongst the three parties.
Finland
Name: Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA)
Type:Government Agency
Relationship with Government: Formal
FICORA is an agency of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. It issues technical regulations and coordinates standardisation work at national level. It also supervises the technical functioning and security of communications networks, coordinates numbering in telecommunications networks among other things.
Legislation: Regulation on Finnish Domain Names on the Internet, THK 34 A/2000 M, grants the right to FICORA to manage .fi domain names.
France
Name: AFNIC (Association Franзaise pour le Nommage Internet en Coopйration)
Type:Non-Profit Organization
Relationship with Government: Informal
Persons from the Ministries of Industry, Research and Telecommunications serve on the AFNIC board of directors. The board is composed of 5 elected members (2 ISP, 2 users and 1 international organisation) and 5 nominated members (Institut National De Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique, Ministries of Industry, Research and Telecommunications)| to top |
Gambia
Name: Jorn Grotnes - Nic.gm| to top |
Type:Individual
Relationship with Government: None
According to a cctld-discuss posting by a director at Gamtel (Gambia's telecommunications provider), there is currently no government involvement in the administration of the .gm ccTLD, but the government is keen to have a committee from the local Internet community handle the management of the .gm.
Requests from The Gambian government to ICANN for assistance in transferring the domain have not been successful, since the .gm domain is currently being run efficiently from both a technical and a procedural point of view. However, it was agreed that the current manager will discuss with the representatives of the local Internet community and the government on how to resolve the issue.
Morocco
Name: L'Agence Nationale de Rйglementation des Tйlйcommunications (ANRT)
Type:Government Agency
Relationship with Government: Formal
The ccTLD is officially managed by ANRT. Reports suggest that Maroc Telecom is the primary administrator.
Legislation: The Post and Telecommunication Law n°24/96 (7 August 1997) created ANRT and conferred upon it the responsibility of regulating the telecommunications industry, including the Internet in Morocco.
Netherlands
Name: SIDN (Stichting Internet Domeinregistratie Nederland) - the Foundation for Internet Domain Registration in the Netherlands| to top |
Type:Non Profit Organization
Relationship with Government: None
There is no formal contractual relationship between the ccTLD and the government. At no time since '.nl' was delegated (1986) has there been any direct government involvement in or statutory regulation of the registration activities.
The government informally monitors SIDN's practices, however, and in 1998 announced that self-regulation of the industry through SIDN would be reviewed against the framework for self-regulation set out in the policy document Legislation on the Electronic Highway.
A cabinet review of SIDN took place in April 2000, under the auspices of the Directorate-General of Telecommunications and Post (DGTP), which is part of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. The findings were considered by the cabinet, leading to the publication of a cabinet memorandum entitled Assessment of the Operating Practices of SIDN. In the memo the government suggested that it would like to have legislated, formal relations with SIDN.
The new regulations come into effect on 29 January 2003.
New Zealand
Name: Internet Society of New Zealand (InternetNZ)
Type:Non-profit organization
Relationship with Government: Informal
New Zealand is known for "light handed" approach to regulation and the government thus far has not become involved in the management or policy of the CCTLD.
In a 1999 position paper, Government Position Regarding the Control of Internet Service Delivery in New Zealand by the Information Technology Policy Group, the New Zealand government expressed comfort with the current management of the .nz domain: "There are no indications that there is a need for the Government to introduce sector specific regulation or control mechanisms in relations to the Internet".
The Society is discussing whether to execute a simple MOU between the Society and the NZ government.
Norway
Name: NORID
Type:non-profit corporation
Relationship with Government: Informal
There is currently no formal contract, however the registry operates informally in close cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications and with an understanding with the Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority.
Both the registry and the government have expressed a desire for a more formalized relationship. A working group consisting of different government representatives and the registry concluded that the best solution is that the government sets a regulatory framework, and that the registry operate within that framework.
The proposal was released for public consultation - most of the comments seem to be in favour of the proposal, but as yet there has been no resolution.
Peru
Name: Nic.pe
Type:Non-profit organization
Relationship with Government: None
Legislation was enacted to transfer control of the .pe domain to a government department. Following intense political and judicial lobbying by the local Internet community, this legislation was later withdrawn.
Legislation:
Resolution No. 292-2001-RE, Assign to INDECOPI the administration of the domain name corresponding to Peru in Internet of July 2001, addresses the transfer of control of .pe to the National Institute of the Defense of the Competition and of the Protection of Intellectual Property.
Resolution No. 548-2001-RE, acknowledges the need for increased Internet community participation and input in the transfer process. It also extends the time limit for a multi-sectoral committee to develop a national Internet plan.
Poland
Name: The Research and Academic Computer Network (NASK)
Type:Non profit corporation
Relationship with Government: None
The Research and Academic Computer Network (NASK) was established as a research & development unit whose mission was to connect the Polish scientific and academic community to the Internet. It now administers the .pl domain.
NASK operates with the government's approval.
Russia
Name: Coordination Center for the RU TLD
Type:Non - profit organization
Relationship with Government: Informal
The Coordination Center for TLD RU was founded by the Regional Non-profit Center for Internet Technologies (ROCIT), Internet Providers' Union, Russian Association for Networks and Services, and Russian Institute for Public Networks (RIPN). RIPN does the technical administration of the .ru domain, while The Center handles policy.
The Russian registry has no formal contractual relationship with the Russian Government.
According to current legislation there is no ministry responsible for the coordination and development of the Internet in Russia. However, several ministries are vying for the responsibility and the question of Internet policy is handled by the Russian Government from time to time with no clear result. According to the Director of the ccTLD, it is likely that the Ministry for Telecommunication will assume responsibility.
The ccTLD has good working contacts with the Ministry for Telecommunications, and has discussed problems concerning the .RU with them.
Once government responsibility has been established, the ccTLD intends to establish a veto seat on its council for a ministerial representative. Moreover, The Center hopes that its activities will be confirmed by an appropriate legislative act. These expectations are based on a verbal understanding with officials from Ministry for Telecommunications.
South Africa
Name: Mike Lawrie - Namespace
Type:Non-Profit (moving to Government??)
Relationship with Government: None
Mike Lawrie has administered the .za TLD since 1994 with the support of the local Internet community. Along with ISOC-ZA, Lawrie is committed to moving the administration to a non-profit, community-led organization, Namespace.
The Government has faced severe criticism from the Internet community and the current ccTLD for its attempt to set up a new Domain Name Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Communication.
Although no authority has yet been established, in August 2002, the Ministry of Communications reiterated its goal to establish an authority that was comprised of representatives of various stakeholders - government, private sector, academia, and the Internet community. It is expected that Namespace will help to define the duties of the new authority according to a news release of November 2002.
The Minister of Communications is currently appointing a 5-member Panel who will advise her on a 9-member board whose mandate will be propose regulation of the .za ccTLD and ancillary matters.
Legislation: Chapter 10 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill, Number 8 of 2002, proposes to set up a new .za Domain Name Authority within South Africa with board members chosen by the Minister of Communications. The new authority is being proposed in order to be more representative and to enable all South Africans to have a voice in South African Internet governance.
Spain
Name: Red.es
Type:Government Agency
Relationship with Government: Formal
The .es domain is managed by a state company, the Entidad Pъblica Empresarial Red.es. It is under the domain of Ministry of Science and Technology.
The government intends to approve a national plan on Internet Domain Names. A draft version (v. 12.04.02) has been published for public commentary on the website of the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Information Society.
Legislation:| to top |
Article 27.13 of the Royal Decree 1651/1998 (General Law for Telecommunications) states that the Ministry of Science and Technology will determine which body shall manage the Registry for domain names and addresses.
The Resolution of the General Secretariat of Communications [Spanish, English Translation], February 10, 2000, designates Red.es as the manager of the .es domain.
The Eighteen Additional Provision (Procedural rules for the allocation of domain names under .es) of the Act 14/2000 for fiscal, administrative and social order measures (as amended by article 70 of the Act 24/2001) [Spanish], states that the President of RED.ES is entitled to approve registration rules implementing the legal provisions that regulate the allocation of ".es" domain names. These rules must duly take into account the best practices developed in this sector, as well as the recommendations of international organizations whose activity is related to the management of the Domain Name System.
The Order of March 21, 2000 [Spanish] regulates the system of assignment and allocation of Internet domain names under the cctld .es. This Order has been amended by the Ministerial Order of 12 July 2001 [Spanish]. Both Orders will be replaced by the National Plan for Internet Domain Names, which is expected to be approved soon.
The Decree of 164/2002 [Spanish], of 8 of February, approves the statute of Red.es.
The Spanish Parliament approved the Act 34/2002 [Spanish, Translated to English], of 11 July, on the Provision of Information Society Services and on E-commerce, whose Sixth Additional Provision establishes the basic principles concerning the allocation of domain names under ".es". This Act also amends the Sixth Additional Provision ("Entidad Publica Empresarial RED.ES") of the Act 11/1998 [consolidated version], of 24 April, on General Telecommunications. This latter amendment mainly deals with the regulation of the fee that will have to be paid for the allocation and maintenance of domain names under ".es".
Sweden
Name: Foundation for Internet Infrastructure
Type:Non-Profit Organization
Relationship with Government: None
There is no governmental involvement in the ccTLD, however a committee examined the issue in 1998. Their report was published in April 2000 and recommended that although the domain name system functioned "excellently", the ccTLD should sign an agreement with the government according to the GAC principals. The report was released for public consultation in 2000 and received strong opposition.
A new government committee is looking at the legislation aspects for the whole field of electronic communication including .se and the Internet. No report has yet been published.
Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Name: SWITCH, the Swiss Academic and Research Network
Type:Academic
Relationship with Government: Formal
SWITCH is an academic foundation set up by the Swiss federal government and Switzerland's universities.
The Federal Office for Communications (OFCOM) regards itself as the authority for domain names because domain names fall under federal telecomminication law as addressing elements (See http://www.bk.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/c784_10.html). The Federal Office has delegated management of .ch to SWITCH and there are contracts and a communications decree formalizing this arrangement.
Relations between SWITCH and the federal government is governed by a contract was signed in January 2003.
Legislation: A communication law, AEFV (Adriessierelementeverordnung im Fernmeldebereich Verordnung ьber die Adressierungselemente im Fernmeldebereich), RS 784.104, and OFCOM technical and administrative regulations, RS 784.101.113/2.13, formalizes the assignment and management of domain names in the ".ch" zone within a legal framework since April 2002.
Taiwan
Name: Taiwan Network Information Center (TWNIC)| to top |
Type:non-profit corporation
Relationship with Government: Informal
TWNIC was established in March 1994 as an experimental program. In April 1998, the National Information Infrastructure (NICI) decided that TWNIC should fall under the authority of the Taiwanese Directorate-General of Telecommunication (DGT). Under its guidance, TWNIC transformed into a nonprofit corporation on December 29 1999.
Neither the NICI nor DGT is directly involved in TWNIC's decision making, rather TWNIC is governed by a board of directors. A few board members are from the government, however they sit as individuals, instead of as government representatives.
In addition to managing the .tw ccTLD, TWNIC is also involved in domain name registration services, promoting nationwide Internet use and coordinating the exchange and integration of Internet information services.
Tunisia
Name: L'Agence Tunisienne d'Internet (ATI)
Type:Government Agency
Relationship with Government: Formal
The ATI operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Technology and Communications. Regulations for the Internet's management in Tunisia were introduced by the Ministry in 1997.
In 1999 a national commission on electronic commerce released a final report on the regulation of the Internet and e-commerce infrastructure in Tunisia
Tuvalu
Name: The .tv corporation
Type:Private
Relationship with Government: None
The .tv Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of VeriSign, has served as the manager/delegee for the government of Tuvalu for .tv extensions since 1998. The corporation pays royalties to the government for its usage of the ccTLD.
Ukraine
Name: Hostmaster
Type:Private Corporation
Relationship with Government: Informal
The .ua domain is operated by a private company that does not have government representation or government control.
There is an ongoing relationship with the departments of Security and Telecommunication of the Ukrainian government in the operation of the DNS. However, this relationship is casual and ad hoc at best and there are no consistent government representatives on the ccTLD board.
United Arab Emirates
Name: UAEnic
Type:Private Corporation
Relationship with Government: Informal
In 1994, United Arab Emirates (UAE) University was authorised by IANA to manage the .ae cctld. In 1995, by agreement between Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) and the UAE University, the ccTLD was redelegated by IANA to Etisalat. Currently the day to day operation of the .ae domain is handled by UAEnic, a subsidiary of Etisalat.
The Emirates Telecommunication Corporation operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications.
United Kingdom
Name: Nominet
Type:Non-profit Corporation
Relationship with Government: Informal
Nominet is not covered by existing telecommunication regulation and there is no contract with the government. A government representative sits as an observer on Nominet's Policy Advisory Board.
Nominet has a relationship with the Department for Trade and Industry, Nominet had received affirmation of its position as the .uk ccTLD manager and confirmation that the Government preferred industry self-regulation to intervention.
There has been recognition that the relationship needs to be formalized and this is being developed. Both sides are negotiating an agreement on an exchange of correspondence that would allow the .uk ccTLD to continue to be managed in the interests of the Internet community as a whole, while also giving the Government scope to intervene if Nominet fails to perform its duties.
United States
Name: Neustar
Type:private company
Relationship with Government: Formal
Neustar has a contract with the Department of Commerce. The DOC has final authority on structure and the policies of the ccTLD and can reject the contract if Neustar does not perform its duties adequately.
Neustar maintains that it has a collaborative partnership with the usTLD community and the public interest. In particular, NeuStar has created a Policy Council as an advisory body for usTLD policy operations. This body will interface with the public and provide an independent forum and mechanism for future development of the usTLD. In the last Policy Council meeting (Oct 2002) agreed to invite The Center for Democracy and Technology as a member.
