- Category: (replace this text with one of the following categories: Administration/Budget, Board, ccTLD, gTLD, IP, ICANN Structure, International Agreement, Root Zone)
- Topic: (replace this text with a keywords from title)
- Board meeting date: 23 January 2008
- Resolution number: 2008.01.09
- URL for Board minutes/resolution: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-23jan08.htm
- Status: (replace this text with: Completed, Ongoing, Suspended)
Summary
(replace this text with the a one-sentence summary of the resolution)
Text
Kim Davies advised that on 31 July 2007, IANA received a request for the redelegation of the .AE ( United Arab Emirates) top-level domain. The .AE domain is presently operated by Etisalat's UAEnic unit. Etisalat is a dominant telecommunications company in the country. It is proposed the domain be transferred to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, a government mandated entity responsible for "telecom assets". The TRA proposes to establish a specific entity known as the AE Domain Administration to promote and develop the .AE domain. It will rely on technical support for registry implementation from an established registry services vendor. Local Internet community support for this application has been provided from the Emirates Internet Group. Given the local cultural issues, it was not considered likely that substantial additional support would be forthcoming.
The Chair noted that the original report said no local Internet community support was available, but that additional correspondence was received just prior to the meeting.
Kim Davies advised that this is the case and noted that IANA had not had the opportunity to investigate the legitimacy and substance of the letter, but advised that the ICANN Regional Liaison, Baher Esmat, had confirmed it as legitimate.
Paul Twomey indicated that this issue was summarized very well, and the background to the redelegation was common to other countries in the Gulf region — that the original operator has been local telecommunications provider but as competition has increased the telephone company was no longer considered appropriate. Similar steps had been taken in other nearby countries. There was confusion in the minds of the applicant, but recent communication has helped close some of those loops and it was expected that this is the most you could expect from community.
Jean-Jacques Subrenat raised concerns about the trend towards moving domains to regulators without local consultation, and that it related to a central issue of governance. Noting that in this particular case, in the findings put forward by Staff, local consultation had not been found satisfactory, Jean-Jacques expressed the view that ICANN should ask for further information or action. He added that ICANN should state preferred policy orientations when it has the opportunity.
Dennis Jennings indicated his support of Jean-Jacques Subrenat's views. He noted that territories will pass laws that appoint the regulator as the manager irrespective of the views of the local Internet community, and that ICANN will have to work out how to deal with that.
Goldstein move to accept resolution in view of the stated local Internet community support. The Chair proposed a resolution that the Board approves the request for redelegation of .AE.
Steve Goldstein moved and Rita Rodin seconded the following resolution:
Whereas, the .AE top-level domain is the designated country-code for the United Arab Emirates.
Whereas, ICANN has received a request for redelegation of .AE to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
Whereas, ICANN has reviewed the request, and has determined that the proposed redelegation would be in the best interest of the local and global Internet communities.
It is hereby resolved (2008.01.09), that the proposed redelegation of the .AE domain to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority is approved.
A voice vote was taken of all Board Members present and the motion was approved by a vote of 13-0 with one abstention by Jean-Jacques Subrenat.
Jean-Jacques Subrenat set our his reasons for abstaining in a written statement to the Secretary following the Board Meeting as follows: "IANA, in its findings, noted that the application for .AE did not meet the general criteria for local Internet community support". As noted above in the description of the meeting, during the Board discussion Jean-Jacques Subrenat had suggested that ICANN solicit further information on specific points of concern that need further elaboration.
Implementation Actions
- (replace this text with specific Action Item)
- Responsible entity: (replace this text with the responsible entity: ICANN department, ICANN Community Structure, Board, U.S. Department of Commerce)
- Due date: (replace this text with Due Date)
- Completion date: (replace this text with Date action was implemented)
- (replace this text with specific Action Item)
- Responsible entity: (replace this text with the responsible entity: ICANN department, ICANN Community Structure, Board, U.S. Department of Commerce)
- Due date: (replace this text with Due Date)
- Completion date: (replace this text with Date action was implemented)
Other Related Resolutions
- (replace this text with links to related resolutions)
Additional Information
- (replace this text with any additional notes related to this resolution, i.e. funding considerations)
