9/10/97

Now that a majority of the responses to the NTIA comment
process are in, Iperdome has prepared an analysis of the
implications of our proposal.  Specifically, what impact
would this plan have on the existing DNS system.


       Summary - The Iperdome Proposal

In a nutshell, our proposal would:
   *   Move .com, .org, .net, .edu, .gov, and .mil under .us
   *   Formalize and Provide Appropriate Funding for IANA
   *   Open .us to Free Market Competition
   *   Begin Process to Establish Global Internet Governance


       Implications - The Iperdome Proposal

Under this proposal, the name space would be split into two
distinct and seperate realms:

1)  The "public" name space

The "public" name space would consist of all two character
ISO country code TLDs, .int, and .arpa.  The newly defined
IANA would administer these TLDs.  In turn, each country
would be responsible for administering its corresponding
TLD.  The existing laws, customs, and traditions of each
country would be used to determine appropriate resolution
to issues like trademarks, how SLDs are administered, etc.

These TLDs would be universally resolveable.

2)  The "private" name space

The "private" name space would consist of all TLDs that
are not reserved for the "public" name space.  Diverse
companies would compete with new products and services
in this realm.  Existing "private" root server systems
like The Alternic, name.space, eDNS, AU.RSC, etc.
would be free to continue to develop free market
solutions for the Internet. 

These TLDs would only be resolveable to those
ISPs and Netizens who subscribe to their services.


       Analysis - The Iperdome Proposal

This simple act of defining the name space into two
seperate realms offers a tremendous number of advantages:

Stability - The public name space would be extremely
stable.  Questions about authority would be removed,
and each country would be free to support their TLD
in any way they choose.

Stability would also be introduced into the "private"
name space.  Once the uncertainty is removed from the
future direction of the name space, and once the "private"
name space is recognized, investment capital and venture
funding will become available.

Governance - Given that 98% of all Netizens have been
on the net for two years or less, and given that over
80% of all Netizens reside in the U.S, implementing
Global Internet Governance at this juncture is simply
premature.  This proposal gives the Internet a little
time to mature, at the same time it allows each country
to determine its own policies without international
considerations.

Competition - As one of our stated goals, competition
is the cornerstone of our proposal.  It allows the free
market to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of Netizens
using the latest technology and creative talents of *all*
stakeholders world wide.  Competition under the
Iperdome Proposal is extremely diverse:

Competition Under .us

Consistent with the long historical bias towards free market
solutions in the U.S., our proposal would embrace the following
models of competition under .us:
        Regionally Distributed 3LDs
          .atlanta.ga.us, .austin.tx.us
        Private Registry SLDs
          .com.us, .web.us, .per.us
        Shared Registry SLDs
          .firm.us, .store.us, .rec.us, .nom.us, .info.us
        Other Registry SLDs
          (i.e. SIC codes, etc.)

Competition Between Country Codes

As each country decides how it will administer its TLD,
the distinctions between country code TLDs will become
apparant.  These differences will result in a competitive
environment, one that will lead to best products and
services in the "public" name space.

Competition Between Private Root Servers

Private Root Servers have formed on various continents
for assorted reasons.  This trend will continue, and
ultimately, is a good trend for the Internet.

Competition between these systems will ultimately lead
to new products and services that may look nothing like
the current DNS.  Cooperation between web browser
manufacturers and private root servers is very likely. 
The result will likely be an evolution of the current
DNS towards more of a directy based search service. 

We believe that allowing the free market to drive this
process is much preferable to a centralized,
bureaucratically planned approach.

In closing, the advantages to the Iperdome Proposal are:

   * Postpones GIG until the Internet matures and a consensus
     that involves the newly emerging stakeholder communities
     can be reached.

   * Allows each country to administer its own domain name space,
     using the historical laws and customs as accepted within their
     respective jurisdictions.

   * Allows each countries IP, Trademark, and anti-trust Laws to redress
     existing grievances under the former .com, .org, etc. TLDs.

   * Greatly Increases Competition and Choice