The ZA Central Registry (ZACR) has labelled the publishing of a discussion document concerning the proposed registration of second level domain (SLD) names as poor timing.
According to ZACR, the fact that important documents, which aim to give effect to the Integrated ICT Policy White Paper, are currently before Parliament makes the discussion to open registration for the domain names ill-timed.
The documents are said to have been published last month by the domain name sector regulator, .ZA Domain Name Authority (.ZADNA).
In a statement, ZACR says any rushed discussions around the complex domain name industry threaten the highly-effective central registry model endorsed by the late communications minister, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri.
"We support in principle the ability to register new domain names immediately below the top level domain. However, we cannot support the bad timing of a good idea," says ZACR CEO Lucky Masilela.
In addition, ZACR is not convinced the current ease of registering and provisioning .ZA domains will continue under the proposed changes.
"Perhaps the standout feature of the discussion document put out by our .ZADNA colleagues is that it appears to ignore the domain name sector inputs to the White Paper. It appears to pronounce the outcomes of the Bill which is just not the right way of conducting ourselves," notes Masilela.
Aside from the poor timing, the .ZADNA discussion document interferes with the administration of the .capetown, .durban and .joburg gTLDs, which will not be welcomed by the delegator of these domains, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), states ZACR.
South Africa's domain name administrator is of the view that ICANN will also see any moves in this direction as a gross violation of the geographic Top Level Domain delegation terms and conditions.
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