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
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
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
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
In November, 2010, The DotAsia Organisation entered into an agreement concerning DNSSEC implementation with Afilias. The Organisation hailed it as a sign of its dedication to security issues and its status as an industry pioneer, since it is one of a few TLDs to implement DNSSEC.[8]