The DotAsia Organisation
 | |
| Type: | Non-Profit |
| Industry: | Registry Operator |
| Founded: | 2006 |
| Headquarters: | Hong Kong |
| Country: | China |
| Website: | DotAsia.org |
| Key People | |
| Edmon Chung, CEO Ping Wong, Senior Business Development Manager | |
The DotAsia Organisation is the sponsor and registry operator for the .asia sTLD; which is the first TLD to be headquartered in Asia.[1]
Mission[edit | edit source]
The self-described mission of the DotAsia Organisation is:
- To sponsor, establish and operate a regional Internet namespace with global recognition and regional significance, dedicated to the needs of the Pan-Asia and Asia Pacific Internet community;
- To contribute proceeds in socio-technological advancement initiatives relevant to the Pan-Asia and Asia Pacific Internet community and;
- To operate a viable not-for-profit initiative that is a technically advanced, world-class TLD registry for the Pan-Asia and Asia Pacific community.[2]
Structure[edit | edit source]
The Board of Directors is made up of 11 individuals; 8 seats are given to sponsor members- which come from the community of Asian ccTLD operators, 2 seats go to co-sponsor members -which are representatives of other organizations involved in Asian internet affairs, and 1 seat is for the board-appointed CEO.[3]
It is open to membership to all interested and applicable parties.
Start-Up[edit | edit source]
The Organisation was created in 2006 through a Sponsored TLD Registry Agreement.[4]
The Sunrise, Landrush, and Pioneer Domains Program went historically smooth for .asia. It conceived of the Pioneer Domains Program as an alternative to the general first-come-first-serve policy usually put in place through the Sunrise and Landrush periods. Its departure from this model marks the first time an application for a domain name was approved on the quality of the application itself.[5] Vint Cerf was quoted as saying : "The Pioneer Domains Program will be a useful benchmark for other new TLD operators to take into account".[6]
The Sunrise period began in October, 2007. The Landrush lasted from February to March, 2008. The Organisation claims that there were zero disputes received throughout the entire start-up process.[7] However, Thomas Rucker may take issue with that claim as he runs a website highlighting the discrepancies and "shady" dealing he sees within The DotAsia Organisation.
Security[edit | edit source]
In November, 2010, The DotAsia Organisation entered into an agreement with Afilias concerning DNSSEC implementation. The Organisation hailed it as a sign of its dedication to security issues and its status as an industry pioneer, given that at that time it is one of a few TLDs to have implemented DNSSEC.[8]