.pccw New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: PCCW Enterprises Limited
String: pccw
Originally Posted: 13 June 2012
Application ID: 1-1309-16706
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
PCCW Enterprises Limited
- Address of the principal place of business
41⁄F., PCCW Tower, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay
Hong Kong HK
HK
- Phone number
+852 2514 8888
- Fax number
+852 2962 5725
- If applicable, website or URL
www.pccw.com
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Mr. Edmon Chung
6(b). Title
Director Representative
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+852 3520 2635
6(e). Fax Number
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Ms. Rebecca Chan
7(b). Title
Company Secretary
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+852 3520 2635
7(e). Fax Number
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
limited company
8(b). State the specific national or other jursidiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).
Hong Kong
8(c). Attach evidence of the applicant's establishment.
Attachments are not displayed on this form.
9(a). If applying company is publicly traded, provide the exchange and symbol.
9(b). If the applying entity is a subsidiary, provide the parent company.
PCCW Enterprises Limited is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of PCCW Limited, of which the shares are listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock Code: 0008).
9(c). If the applying entity is a joint venture, list all joint venture partners.
Applicant Background
11(a). Name(s) and position(s) of all directors
Chan Ching Cheong, George Director
HUI Hon Hing, Susanna Director
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
PCCW Secretaries Limited Secretary
11(c). Name(s) and position(s) of all shareholders holding at least 15% of shares
PCCW Nominees Limited
PCCW-HKT Limited
11(d). For an applying entity that does not have directors, officers, partners, or shareholders: Name(s) and position(s) of all individuals having legal or executive responsibility
Applied-for gTLD string
- Provide the applied-for gTLD string. If an IDN, provide the U-label.
pccw
14(a). If an IDN, provide the A-label (beginning with "xn--").
14(b). If an IDN, provide the meaning or restatement of the string in English, that is, a description of the literal meaning of the string in the opinion of the applicant.
14(c). If an IDN, provide the language of the label (in English).
14(c). If an IDN, provide the language of the label (as referenced by ISO-639-1).
14(d). If an IDN, provide the script of the label (in English).
14(d). If an IDN, provide the script of the label (as referenced by ISO 15924).
14(e). If an IDN, list all code points contained in the U-label according to Unicode form.
15(a). If an IDN, Attach IDN Tables for the proposed registry.
Attachments are not displayed on this form.
15(b). Describe the process used for development of the IDN tables submitted, including consultations and sources used.
15(c). List any variant strings to the applied-for gTLD string according to the relevant IDN tables.
- Describe the applicant's efforts to ensure that there are no known operational or rendering problems concerning the applied-for gTLD string. If such issues are known, describe steps that will be taken to mitigate these issues in software and other applications.
The Registry anticipates the introduction of this TLD without operational or rendering problems other than general Universal TLD Acceptance issues.
The Registry has conducted investigation into the operational and rendering issues of the TLD Based on the findings, the Registry is confident that the launch and operation of this TLD present no known challenges. The rationale for this opinion includes:
- The string is not complex and is represented in standard ASCII characters and follows relevant technical, operational and policy standards;
- The string length is within the lengths currently supported in the root and by ubiquitous Internet programs such as web browsers and mail applications;
- There are no new standards required for the introduction of this TLD;
- No onerous requirements are being made on registrars, registrants or Internet users.
- (OPTIONAL) Provide a representation of the label according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (http://www.langsci.ucl.ac.uk/ipa/).
Mission/Purpose
18(a). Describe the mission/purpose of your proposed gTLD.
The “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs are brand TLDs, representing the PCCW and 電訊盈科 brand (http:⁄⁄www.pccw.com).
PCCW Limited (SEHK: 0008) is a Hong Kong-based company which holds interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.
The primary purposes of the .pccw TLD is to protect and further the PCCW brand that has been established for more than 80 years in Hong Kong and to promote its services and products through sub domains.
As a leading Hong Kong-based company which holds interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investment, we believe in the forefront of innovation and technologies and are therefore putting forward this proposal to operate the .pccw TLD.
- Advance Constructive Competition
We believe that the introduction of the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs helps us remain competitive in the dynamically growing media and IT solutions industry.
- Enhance Consumer Trust
By protecting our brand and ensuring that it is not mis-used in anyway by third parties as a TLD, we help support the enhancement of consumer trust in the DNS. More importantly, Internet end users will be able to use the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs to connect directly with PCCW, further enhancing consumer confidence and trust.
Furthermore, PCCW intends to work with competent registry front-end and back-end service providers which can implement the registry systems in compliance with the ICANN specifications and in accordance with the technical responses to #22-44, so that the Registry can ensure a secure and stable implementation of the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs that supports consumer trust.
- Promote Consumer Choice
The introduction of “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” allows consumers to choose to connect with PCCW directly through the TLD. Furthermore, PCCW is hoping to leverage the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs to provide innovative services that enhance the user experience. Furthermore the use of the “.電訊盈科” Chinese IDN TLD supports our connection with the local Chinese community which we serve.
18(b). How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
- Goals of the TLD
An important goal of the TLD is the safeguard of the intellectual property right of the PCCW and the 電訊盈科 brand.
The Group places great importance on brand protection. We have been investing heavily in protecting the Group’s intellectual properties, including trademarks and domains. A comprehensive set of brand protection measurements and policy has been established within the group. Together with external trademark lawyers, an in-house Group Legal office, Brand Management division and Risk Management division jointly manage the Group’s brand and IP portfolio including trademarks, goodwill and domains, etc. Through the years, PCCW and its sub-brands have established strong brand recognition in the customers’ mind and in the industry. We have received awards from different local and overseas organizations including APICTA International, Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific, etc.
For PCCW, the establishment of the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs on the Internet safeguards our brand’s intellectual property right and enable opportunities from potential expansion of business. PCCW has invested substantially in the online areas and will continue to do so.
- Differentiation and Innovation
The utilization of the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs by PCCW is in itself a differentiation and innovation we set ourselves apart from our competitors. PCCW is a Hong Kong-based company which holds interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses and is excited to explore new and innovative uses of subdomain names directly under the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs.
At the same time, as a TLD, PCCW understands the importance to maintain a reliable, advanced and operationally sound TLD registry that safeguards the security and stability of the Internet.
The primary users of the gTLD will be within the Group with businesses serving several million business and consumer accounts.
- Improving User Experience
To Internet users, the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” domains provide a more direct way of reaching the company with a better user experience as they will be able to access PCCW information and services directly under the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” domains.
The initial plan is to consider deployment of the gTLD by the Group and its subsidiaries. It might cover the websites and the personalized email addresses. The latest number of employees of the Group is 20,100+ worldwide with the majority located in Hong Kong. Not all of the employees will use their own domain name, rather departments or business units within the group.
The potential expansion of the gTLD could apply to individual business units of the Group for their marketing promotion or customer acquisition purposes serving over several million customers. E.g. our business customers could be using the sub domain under the gTLD to run their business. We have had similar experiences in running our directory business (YP.com.hk and biz.com.hk) by offering sub domains to our customers at a minimal cost.
- Registration Policies Supporting the Goals to Drive User Benefits
While we are not planning for the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs to be open for external registrations, in the case that future expansion happens, the Registry is dedicated to upholding its reputation as a socially responsible TLD. As such, beyond the basic ICANN requirements, the Registry intends to put in place a comprehensive Sunrise and Startup process as well as effective Abuse Prevention and Rights Protection Mechanisms to strengthen the orderly and stable introduction of the TLD.
- Privacy and Confidentiality Protection
Measures to protect the privacy and any confidential information of registrants and users will be consistent with other existing broad generic gTLDs. This ensures a sense of coherence from users and registrants and reinforces the goals of making IDN not an alternative but a given.
With the support from competent registry front-end and back-end service providers, the Registry will be administered with compliance to a Privacy Policy which requires that identifying information received by the Registry Operator in connection with registrations will not be disclosed to third parties, except as required to combat any abusive registrations and comply with our contractual obligations to ICANN and investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies.
Should the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs be based out of Hong Kong, it will be governed by the Privacy Ordinance while the registry systems will be supported by the competent registry back-end service provider. A Privacy Policy has been developed which is compliant with relevant legislation and ensures that a high level of privacy and information security surrounds all collected data.
18(c). What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs?
At PCCW, we have a Risk Management department and other internal controls in place to supervise the usage and operation should we decide to widely use the gTLD.
At the moment, there’s no immediate plan to offer the gTLD to specific external communities.
In the case we decide to offer the .pccw TLD for external communities, the Registry is committed to introducing the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs in an orderly manner to minimize the social costs and maximize the social value of the TLD. The Registry shall be able to develop and implement a comprehensive startup process that would include, besides Sunrise and Landrush processes, other rights protection mechanisms to ensure the orderly introduction of the TLD. More detailed explanation of the overall startup process is included in #29.
In response to the question specifically:
- Mechanisms for Resolving Multiple Applications to a Domain
A comprehensive Sunrise and Landrush program will be put in place at the launch of the TLD if we are to decide to offer the TLD to the public. The competent registry front-end and back-end service provider shall have experience and knowledge in the development of a suitable Sunrise and Landrush program that complies with Specification 7 of the new gTLD agreement as a minimum and will also include additional rights protection mechanisms as well as mechanisms for resolving multiple applications to a domain when the TLD is first launched. More detailed explanation of the approach is included in #29.
After Sunrise and Landrush, in the cases of contention against abusive registrations, the Registry will adhere to the UDRP and URS procedures.
- Cost Benefits for Registrants
Should we decide to offer the gTLD to the public, we may implement periodic cost reduction programs to encourage the adoption of the TLD by registrants. Introductory programs may also be important to drive awareness and interest in the TLD as well.
- Contractual Commitments to Registrants
The Registry will abide by the ICANN Registry Agreement requirements as well as ICANN Consensus Policies, including offering domain registrations for periods of one to ten years at the discretion of the registrar upon GoLive if we decide to offer the gTLD to the public.
Besides policies and rules implemented by the Registry, the applicant believes that prudent operations as an economically viable and socially responsible TLD operator is an important mitigation of increased social costs as a new gTLD is being introduced. The Registry will leverage the knowledge and expertise from its competent registry front-end and back-end service providers to ensure that a substantial portion of the costs for operating the registry is managed in variable costs leveraging the economies of scale from already established operations and focus on delivering value to registrants and consumers with the introduction of the “.pccw” and “.電訊盈科” TLDs and its mission and features.
Other Operating Rules Which Eliminate Or Minimise Social Costs
Abusive registrations will be prevented through having in place and enforcing a robust anti-abuse policy; this policy is described in detail in the response to Question 28. The competent back-end registry service provider shall have extensive experience and responsive mechanism to defend against DDOS attacks as well as preventive measures against abusive spamming, phishing, etc. Above and beyond the Trademark Clearing House requirements, additional abuse prevention and rights protection mechanisms will be put in place.