.hkt New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: PCCW-HKT DataCom Services Limited
String: hkt
Originally Posted: 13 June 2012
Application ID: 1-1309-96306
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
PCCW-HKT DataCom Services Limited
- Address of the principal place of business
41⁄F., PCCW Tower, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay
Hong Kong HK
HK
- Phone number
+852 2888 2888
- Fax number
+852 2877 8877
- If applicable, website or URL
www.hkt.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-HKT DataCom Services Limited is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the HKT Trust and HKT Limited, of which the share stapled units are listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock Code: 6823).
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
Alexander Anthony ARENA Director
HUI Hon Hing, Susanna Director
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
HKT Secretaries Limited Secretary
11(c). Name(s) and position(s) of all shareholders holding at least 15% of shares
HKT (Hong Kong) Limited
HKT Secretaries 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.
hkt
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 presents 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 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, and;
- (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 “.hkt” and “.香港電訊” TLDs are brand TLDs, representing the Hong Kong Telecom and 香港電訊 Brand (http:⁄⁄www.hkt.com).
HKT (SEHK: 6823) is Hong Kongʹs premier telecommunications service provider. It meets the needs of the Hong Kong public and local and international businesses with a wide range of services including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, and other telecommunications businesses such as customer premises equipment sale, outsourcing, consulting, and contact centers .
Together with the highly successful media business of its parent company, PCCW Limited, HKT offers innovative media content and services across the PCCW Groupʹs unique quadruple-play platforms – fixed-line, broadband Internet access, TV and mobile.
The primary purposes of the .hkt TLD is to protect and further the HKT 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 telecommunications services provider in Hong Kong, we believe in the forefront of innovation and technologies and are therefore putting forward this proposal to operate the .hkt TLD.
- Advance Constructive Competition
We believe that the introduction of the .hkt and “.香港電訊” TLDs helps us remain competitive in the dynamically developing global telecommunications 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 .hkt and “.香港電訊” TLDs to connect directly with HKT, further enhancing consumer confidence and trust.
Furthermore, HKT intends to work with competent registry back-end and front-end services providers who can fully implement the registry systems in compliance with the ICANN specifications and in accordance with the technical responses to #22-44, so that the Registry may ensure a secure and stable implementation of the .hkt and “.香港電訊” TLDs that supports consumer trust.
- Promote Consumer Choice
The introduction of “.hkt” and “.香港電訊” allows consumers to choose to connect with HKT directly through the TLD. Furthermore, HKT is hoping to leverage the “.hkt” and “.香港電訊” TLDs to provide innovative services that enhance the user experience. Furthermore the use of the “.香港電訊” Chinese IDN TLD supports our connection the local Chinese community which we serve.
18(b). How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
In the recent Annual Report of HKT, Alex Arena, the group’s Managing Director described HKT’s commitment to users:
“HKT’s management and employees will work together to achieve a common objective – to take this company to a higher level in terms of network capability, product innovation and customer service. In doing so we believe we can create the best experience for our customers. Our ultimate goal is to maximize the value of the investments of the holders of the share stapled units of HKT Limited and the HKT Trust while providing our customers with unmatched services.”
- Goals of the TLD
An important goal of the TLD is the safeguard of the intellectual property right of the HKT and the 香港電訊 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, HKT 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 HKT, the establishment of the .hkt and .香港電訊 TLDs on the Internet safeguards our brand’s intellectual property right and enable opportunities from potential expansion of business. HKT has invested substantially in the online areas and will continue to do so.
- Differentiation and Innovation
The utilization of the .hkt and .香港電訊 TLDs by HKT is in itself a differentiation and innovation we set ourselves apart from our competition. HKT is a leading telecommunications services provider in Hong Kong and is excited to explore new and innovative uses of subdomain names directly under the .hkt and .香港電訊 TLDs.
At the same time, as a TLD, HKT 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 .hkt and .香港電訊 domains provide a more direct way of reaching the company with a better user experience as they will be able to access HKT information and services directly under the .hkt and .香港電訊 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 15,300+ 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. mobile customers might be given a number or ID name with the gTLD of the company as identification; our business customers could also 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 .hkt and .香港電訊 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 reinforce the goals of making IDN not an alternative but a given.
With the support the registry back-end and front-end services 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 .hkt and .香港電訊 TLDs be based out of Hong Kong, it will be governed by the Privacy Ordinance while the registry systems will be supported by the selected registry back-end services 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 HKT, 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 .hkt TLD for external communities, the Registry is committed to introducing the .hkt and .香港電訊 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 selected registry back-end services provider and the registry front-end services 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
The Registry 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 (when normal first-come-first-served registrations begin).
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 selected registry back-end and front-end service providers (to be assigned) 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 .hkt and . 香港電訊 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 selected back-end registry services 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.