PRESS RELEASE

(1030 hours, 28th October, 2004 at Electronics Niketan, New Delhi)

New Policy for .IN Internet Domain Name Registration & National Internet Exchange

1. .IN Internet Domain Name

1.1 Internet Domain Names worldwide have assumed greater significance in recent times with the Internet increasingly being used as an effective medium for commerce, governance, education and communication. The system of registration of Internet Domain Names can facilitate the proliferation of Internet in a country. Many countries have, therefore, adopted liberal and market friendly policies to register large number of Domain Names under their country code, broadly consistent with globally accepted policy and procedures of Domain registration.

1.2 In India, .IN is the allocated country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD). It is recognized that its all round adoption by Indian residents, individuals, Government entities, public service organizations and businesses will help in establishing their Indian identity in the Internet space using a short and unique Domain Name.

1.3 The number of .IN Domain Names so far registered does not truly represent the penetration of information technology in India when seen in conjunction with the dimension and vibrancy of the Indian economy and the number of companies and public institutions operating in the area of Information Technology (IT) and Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS). An overcautious registration policy and absence of contemporary processes and infrastructure for registration have so far hindered the growth of .IN Domain. It is widely recognized that .IN Domain Name has an untapped growth potential. A proactive policy for .IN Domain proliferation can help establish .IN as a globally recognized symbol of India's growth in the area of IT.

1.4 After an indepth review of the situation, the Government has decided to revamp the .IN Domain Name Registry in India to provide a greater thrust to its activities. The new policy for .IN Domain Name registration covers the following main elements:

i. Unlimited generic .IN registration will be offered at 2nd level of Domain Name and also at the 3rd level in the globally popular zones of Domain registration, e.g., .co.in, .net.in and .org.in.

ii. Registrations will be carried out by Registrars to be appointed by the .IN Registry through an open process of selection on the basis of transparent eligibility criteria.

iii. Registrations will be offered by the Registrars following a competitive pricing policy and best market practices. The minimum fee charged by the .IN Registry will be Rs. 250 and Rs. 500 per year for registrations at 3rd and 2nd levels respectively.

iv. The .IN Registry will adopt Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), and will be assisted by a Dispute Resolution Committee to resolve disputes involving the Registry. It will also appoint Arbitrators to address disputes involving the Registrars and the registrants.

v. The entire process of registration will be online and should be completed in less than 24 hours of the receipt of the request from a registrant.

vi. The .IN Registry will announce a 'Sunrise period' of 90 days to enable registered trademark owners, registered companies and owners of intellectual property having a legitimate interest in protecting their brand to secure registration of their Domain Names after due verification.

vii. The zones for Government, Military and Educational Institutions will be reserved for exclusive use by the respective organizations. Registrations for these will be offered by NIC, an organization nominated by the Ministry of Defence, and ERNET, respectively.

viii. The .IN Registry will have the authority to deny or suspend any registration if it conflicts with the sovereign national interest or public order.

ix. The names of Constitutional Authorities, States/Union Territories and specific names used by the .IN Registry will constitute the reserved category of names, which will not be available to the general public.

2. National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

2.1 The Department of Information Technology (DIT), in association with the Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI), has promoted the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) as a Not-for-Profit Company under Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956 with the objective of facilitating improved Internet services in the country. In its operation, NIXI aims to ensure that the Internet traffic which originates within India and also has destination in India, remains within the country, resulting in improved traffic latency, reduced cost and better security.

2.2 As part of the implementation plan of NIXI, four Internet Exchange Nodes have been set up and operationalised at Noida (Delhi), Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata in the premises of the Software Technology Parks of India. As many as 34 Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including major Class A ISPs, have joined these nodes as members. The number of ISPs joining the NIXI nodes is increasing in view of the demonstrated experience of improved traffic routing and savings in the usage cost of bandwidth.

2.3 In order to address the problem of excessive cost of connectivity for smaller ISPs (Class B and C) operating in secondary cities, the Government is considering a proposal to set up, in partnership with the State Governments, and with the ISPs as stake holders, a second tier of NIXI hubs in a few selected provincial capitals.

2.4 NIXI has implemented a dynamic traffic routing and tariff policy for its members with effect from 1st July 2004. The policy is regularly reviewed by the Board of NIXI to ensure that the requirements of the members are addressed while ensuring that the objectives set for NIXI are met.

2.5 We have also entrusted with the responsibility of operating the .IN Registry to implement the new policy framework for .IN Domain Name by creating a .IN Network Information Centre (INNIC). The synergy between NIXI and the INNIC is proposed to be established by ensuring that the Registrars selected by the .IN Registry are from among or utilize the services of the Internet Service Providers connected to NIXI nodes.

2.6 The INNIC under NIXI will function as an autonomous body with the primary responsibility of maintaining .IN Domain and ensuring its operational stability, reliability and security. It will implement the various elements of the new policy set out by the Government.