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Andrew Mack Principal AMGlobal Consulting iWeek , September 2012

The new Generic Top Level Domains, DotAfrica and what it all means – or might mean – for Africa and the world. Andrew Mack Principal AMGlobal Consulting iWeek , September 2012. A tiny bit of history. The build-out of the internet – from DARPA to ICANN What is ICANN?

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Andrew Mack Principal AMGlobal Consulting iWeek , September 2012

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  1. The new Generic Top Level Domains, DotAfrica and what it all means – or might mean – for Africa and the world Andrew Mack Principal AMGlobal Consulting iWeek, September 2012

  2. A tiny bit of history • The build-out of the internet – from DARPA to ICANN • What is ICANN? • The existing structure: gTLDs and ccTLDs and their uses (and limitations) • The expansion into Africa • Africa’s evolving role in internet governance institutions – is there an African agenda?

  3. Expanding the gTLD world • Move to expand the number of gTLDs –the rationale and “other reasons” • Opportunities for communities, for companies – the goals • Outreach to emerging markets, or the utter lack thereof • The JAS process – the hope and ultimate failure of applicant support

  4. Lots of money on the table

  5. The results • The new gTLD space will be more densely northern than ever – catering to consumers in the OECD • Very few community applications, limited IDNs • .Zulu – who should operate it? • A lot of brands, especially luxury brands • A number of generics – with competition from Google, Amazon and others – but some real controversy

  6. More results • A messy situation, with some real unanswered questions – Who will get which names where there are as many as 13 applications for the same name? • Does ICANN have the capacity to manage process, budget? • Some real questions about business model and value • Who will buy a .sucks? • Do we really need more ways to get porn? • Won’t this just lead to more defensive registrations? • Won’t this just lead to more use of search engines? Is Google the big winner?

  7. For Africa • Only 17 applications continent-wide, few in Latin America as well… • No African applicants for generic strings • Q: is Africa once again missing out on a land grab? • Why so few from Africa?? • Q: will this lead to more outside influence over the internet in Africa? More confusion and complication for African users?

  8. The bright spot – dotAfrica • One of the only business models that makes obvious sense • Makes sense as a way to reach an ever more integrated continent for African companies looking to be more than just .za or .ke • Makes sense for businesses from outside, hoping to reach a specifically African audience – like a .Asia or .EU • Makes sense as a focal point for any number of programs aimed at improving capacity • Can it help with development? Hard to say…

  9. In the final analysis • What business models will make sense? • How will consumers react? • What if any real impact will there be – • for experienced netizens, for newer users • for governments and law enforcement • For the private sector • For economic development

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