.asia FAQ

What does .ASIA stand for?

The abbreviation/extension, .ASIA, is a unified standard system agreed upon to identify and reserve domain names specified for the Pan-Asia and Asia Pacific community.

Why do we need a .ASIA Top Level Domain (TLD)?

.ASIA TLD fulfils a market need and a dream: market needs in a dynamically growing community, and a dream to have a unified front that improves international recognition and regional competitiveness to balance the global forces.

With over 60% of the worlds population (and over 90 languages), Asia is a region that is experiencing tremendous economic, cultural and technical growth. Asia has begun to emerge from its financial and economic problems of the 1990s; at this critical juncture of rejuvenation, a special, dedicated domain can help players in the region to realize their global citizenship as well as the potential for regionally targeted efforts.

Although our cultures and languages are diverse, the Asia community has common interest with the word "Asia" and has a very good sense of belonging of being part of Asia. This is evidenced by the cooperative atmosphere and successful operations of APNIC, APNG, APTLD, APRICOT, etc.

Leveraging the successful experience of existing Asia community initiatives, DotAsia Organization aspires to bring together the Pan-Asia and Asia-Pacific region. A regionally-dedicated domain can help cement a common regional identity that will be reinforced by the reinvestment of registry proceeds into further development for the region. While a single domain registry cannot solve all of the macro issues in the region, this initiative nevertheless seeks to contribute to the realization that regional collaboration will lead to stronger global competitiveness among Pan-Asia and Asia-Pacific corporations, economies and people.

The Internet is playing an increasingly important role in the resurgent economies in the Pan-Asia and Asia-Pacific region. As corporations and entities look beyond their local markets, an online identity is key and a regional domain is a logical next growth step. Similarly, when multi-nationals establish presence in the region, they need a regional identity instead of simply a local one. For example, if a company establishes an Asia headquarters in Shanghai, a .CN address may be best for communicating with prospective clients in China. However, when this company visits Japan, a .ASIA address reinforces the broader scope of their market. A regional address may also help local companies to overcome biases when they expand outside their home market. A new domain will satisfy demand for a virtual central market with a neutral regional identity.

As in most areas, the SME segment (small/medium enterprises) comprises the largest and fastest growing segment of the market. We believe this is precisely the segment that will benefit most from the market-expanding potential of a regional .ASIA domain.

As Prof. Kilnam Chon, a renowned Internet pioneer in Asia, points out, just as there is a place for international magazines, regional magazines and local magazines, there needs to be a place for international TLDs, regional TLDs and local TLDs. From the point of view of DNS operations, a .ASIA TLD provides specific services for a specialized community that has unique needs not otherwise served by a generic or a country code TLD.

Who would want a .ASIA TLD? Who are the target customers?

.ASIA is a highly recognizable phrase that is short, easy to remember, versatile but specific and focused on the Asia identity. It captures the essence of the community served and is a sustainable phrase that will not easily become obsolete. Asia traverses a broad region yet elicits a clear concept and coherence of the community, providing registrants tremendous value in establishing an Internet presence with global recognition and regional significance. The name value for .ASIA is especially remarkable for the thriving SME (small medium enterprises) make-up of the Asia economies. This is amplified even more as these SMEs continue to expand beyond their local market to the regional marketplace leveraging the Internet as a platform for growth.

The .ASIA domain can also be naturally used by individuals, businesses, organizations as well as community groups, without constraining to a particular silo within the community, promoting a diverse and dynamic community within the .ASIA namespace. This matches well and is consistent with the multicultural and vibrant community in Asia.

There is a recognizable latent demand in Asia for a TLD with regional significance and versatility. The .ASIA TLD will address this gap in the domain namespace. Furthermore, many of the less technically conscious SMEs in the region have lost out on the rush for a presence in the now well-occupied namespaces. The .ASIA domain will provide an opportunity for these entities to establish a representative, yet adaptable, online identity. Not only will commercial entities benefit from the opening of the .ASIA domain as a regional presence on the Internet, individuals and public or private initiatives, such as regional community organizations and events, will also be able to establish their presence with an Internet address that is meaningful.

Altogether, these elements will work to enhance both the geographic cpr144449003101 as well as the demographic diversity of the Internet namespace.

Asia is a term with broad significance and has a clear and lasting value. Many companies, initiatives, events and organizations use Asia as a defining element of the core values or sectional aspect in their names. For example:

• Regional companies in Asia
• Local companies expanding to the Asia regional market
• Asia headquarters or subsidiaries of global companies
• NGOs and not-for-profit organizations in Asia such as APNIC, APTLD, APNG, PAN/IDRC etc.
• Asia based events, such as Asian Games, Asian Cup, ITU Telecom Asia, CommunicAsia and many others
• Asia version of global media or regional Asia media: Asian Wall Street Journal, Asia Computer Weekly, Channel News Asia and many other newspapers, magazines, TV channels which target the Asia market and community
• Asia focused businesses: Air Asia, JetStar Asia, Aero Asia, etc.

Why should .ASIA be a Sponsored Generic TLD (sTLD) instead of an Unsponsored Generic TLD (gTLD)?

Based on ICANN's definition (http://www.icann.org/registries/):

Generally speaking, an unsponsored gTLD Registry operates under policies established by the global Internet community directly through the ICANN process...a sponsored TLD is a specialized TLD that has a sponsor representing a specific community that is served by the TLD. The sponsor thus carries out delegated policy-formulation responsibilities over many matters concerning the TLD...

An important reason why .ASIA should be a Sponsored gTLD is that it will retain certain policy formulation responsibilities specific to the interests of the sponsored community. For example, the .ASIA registry will have an expanded list of reserved domain names; explore the feasibility and value of augmenting the UDRP with local DRP forums; eligibility requirements; and other policies and practices that minimize abusive registration activities and other activities that affect the legal rights of others, especially in the community.

The boundaries of the .ASIA community are clearly defined based on the ICANN Asia / Australia / Pacific region (http://www.icann.org/montreal/geo-regions-topic.htm). Eligibility of domain registrations is restricted to legal entities within the boundary.

101domain views Asia as a term that appropriately embodies the diverse and vibrant Pan-Asia and Asia-Pacific community, and a TLD name-string that is representative, short, recognizable and conceptually viable. 101domain believes that Asia as a term used for a TLD has broad significance, clear and lasting value, and creates a new and differentiated space that enhances the diversity of the Internet namespace.