.联通 New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: China United Network Communications Corporation Limited
String: 联通
Originally Posted: 13 June 2012
Application ID: 1-996-21855
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
China United Network Communications Corporation Limited
- Address of the principal place of business
No. 21 Financial Street
Xicheng District
Beijing 100033
CN
- Phone number
+86 1066 169 571
- Fax number
+86 1066 110 009
- If applicable, website or URL
http:⁄⁄www.chinaunicom.com
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
XiaoMin Zhou
6(b). Title
Chief Project Manager
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+86 1066 259 626
6(e). Fax Number
+86 1066 259 154
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Qi Kang
7(b). Title
Network Communications Engineer
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+86 1065 522 577
7(e). Fax Number
+861065 522 577
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
Corporation
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.
China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited
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
Chang XiaoBing Chairman of the Board
Han ZhiGang Vice President
Jiang ZhengXin Board Member, Senior Vice President
Li FuShen Board Member, Senior Vice President
Li Gang Board Member, Senior Vice President
Li JianGuo Board Member, Senior Vice President
Lu YiMin Board Member, President
Shao GuangLu Board Member, Senior Vice President
Teng Yong Vice President
Tong JiLu Board Member, Senior Vice President
Zhang Fan Vice President
Zhang JunAn Board Member, Senior Vice President
Zhu LiJun Vice President
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
11(c). Name(s) and position(s) of all shareholders holding at least 15% of shares
China Unicom(HK) Ltd Not Applicable)
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.
联通
14(a). If an IDN, provide the A-label (beginning with "xn--").
xn--8y0a063a
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.
Unicom
14(c). If an IDN, provide the language of the label (in English).
Chinese
14(c). If an IDN, provide the language of the label (as referenced by ISO-639-1).
ZH
14(d). If an IDN, provide the script of the label (in English).
Han (Simplified variant)
14(d). If an IDN, provide the script of the label (as referenced by ISO 15924).
Hans
14(e). If an IDN, list all code points contained in the U-label according to Unicode form.
联 The code point is: U+8054
通 The code point is: U+901A
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.
This character repertoire was derived from the following sources:
- Registration and Administration Guideline for Chinese Domain Names 〈http:⁄⁄www.ietf.org⁄rfc⁄rfc4713.txt〉
- http:⁄⁄www.iana.org⁄assignments⁄idn⁄cn-chinese.html
- http:⁄⁄www.iana.org⁄assignments⁄idn⁄tw-traditional-chinese.html
The language table describes the Internationalized Domain Names (IDN) Character Table to be used by Neustar in the . 联通 TLD registry for the registration of . 联通 domains in the Chinese language.
Neustar would like to thank CNNIC and TWNIC for making their language tables available on the IANA Repository of TLD IDN Practices.
15(c). List any variant strings to the applied-for gTLD string according to the relevant IDN tables.
Variant 1
A-label: xn--0z0aw43a
U-label: 聯通
Unicode: U+806F U+901A
Variant 2
A-label: xn--tz0al53a
U-label: 聨通
Unicode: U+8068 U+901A
Variant 3
A-label: xn--wz0a443a
U-label: 聫通
Unicode: U+806B U+901A
Variant 4
A-label: xn--zz0ay43a
U-label: 聮通
Unicode: U+806E U+901A
- 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.
There are no known rendering issues. Chinese IDNs have been in the market and used in top-level domains like .cn, .tw and others for a number of years and are well accepted by applications and browsers.
- (OPTIONAL) Provide a representation of the label according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (http://www.langsci.ucl.ac.uk/ipa/).
liɛn(35)tʹuŋ(55)
Mission/Purpose
18(a). Describe the mission/purpose of your proposed gTLD.
THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF THE NEW RESTRICTED .联通 gTLD IS TO BENEFIT INTERNET USERS BY ENSURING INCREASED TRUST, CONVENIENCE AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH THE ELIMINATION OF USER CONFUSION AND ASSURANCE OF BRAND AUTHENTICITY.
The new .联通 gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which China United Network Communications Group Co. Ltd (China Unicom) can create and control domain spaces that promote its brand identity and authenticity. The .联通 gTLD will provide an authoritative internet space for China Unicom and its affiliates that are associated with the brand to provide personalised information, services and resources to its users in a unique way that promotes trust, convenience and security. Second and third level domains can then be utilised for advertising and marketing purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.
China Unicom was established in 2009 as a result of a merger between China Netcom Group Corporation (Hong Kong) Ltd and China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd, which was first incorporated in 2000. With a modern communications network characterised by nationwide coverage and global reach, China Unicom operates communications services, including mobile, fixed, data, network access, satellite International Private Leased Circuit (IPLC) system integration and value-added telecommunication services to its individual, family and enterprise customers.
China Unicom is the only Chinese telecommunication operator listed on the stock exchanges in New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai. China Unicom was in Financial Times’ Top 500 in 2011 in terms of its revenue, and ranked at the top of the world leading telecom operators in terms of its customer base and market capitalisation. By 2011, the total assets of China Unicom reached RMB447 billion. The company has 199 million mobile subscribers and 93 million fixed line users as the third largest mobile services provider in the world. China Unicom has subsidiaries operating in 31 provinces in China and in other parts of the world with over 450,000 employees.
China Unicom is a leader in innovating its information service and is determined to focus on its users by constantly improving its overall brand strength and competitiveness. In this regard, consumer trust and continuous innovation are paramount considerations for China Unicom. These objectives will be complemented by China Unicom’s separate application for the .unicom gTLD.
Since the inception of the current domain name system, business activities conducted on the internet are constantly changing and evolving with increased complexity. The volume of commercial transactions over the internet is constantly growing and bringing benefits of simplicity and lowered transaction costs to businesses and consumers. However, at the same time, criminal activities over the internet including data breach, hacking and phishing activities have also become more sophisticated resulting in loss of consumer confidence beyond mere monetary harm. The .联通 gTLD will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with China Unicom online, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction.
China Unicom’s mission and purpose of the proposed new gTLD share ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest. China Unicom is committed to contribute towards achieving such initiatives in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, which includes:
- consumer trust: the .联通 gTLD registry will be operated in a centralised manner with a restrictive registration policy. Registration of domain names will only be available to China Unicom and its affiliates, at this stage, which will provide added consumer trust that the .联通 domain names are trustworthy. As the .联通 domain names are subject to registration standards, policies, procedures and regulation management under China Unicom’s control, this eliminates the possibility of malicious conduct within the .联通 domain space;
- competition: the proposed new gTLD is not intended to instigate competition and consumer choice at the level of registration of domain names among prospective registrants. Instead it is anticipated to contribute to ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest through its operation focused on promoting consumer trust. Increased trust in the .联通 gTLD will drive existing and new top level domain (TLD) registry operators to make improvements in mechanisms to improve consumer trust of their TLDs; and
- consumer choice: the proposed new gTLD will enable user-driven improvements and innovations assisting China Unicom’s marketing efforts through its ability to create new second and third level domain names on demand. These names will provide the consumers with more choices for interacting with China Unicom on a more professional and personalised level. As China Unicom will have effective control over the registration and regulation management of domain names under the .联通 domain space, this will also contribute towards general service innovations on the internet.
Given the restricted nature of the .联通 gTLD, it is anticipated that between a 800 and 2400 domain names will be registered in the first few years. However, over the next few years, the number of registrations is likely to increase to about 5000 domain names as China Unicom develops and implements new services and marketing campaigns for the .联通 gTLD.
As the new .联通 gTLD expands and evolves, China Unicom may consider offering the use of second level domain names to its customers at a later date for convenience and personalised marketing purposes. Whilst this application is being submitted to ICANN on the basis of it being for use by China Unicom and its affiliates only, the Applicant would like to signal formally to ICANN its intention to review this model in future and potentially change the eligibility criteria for a domain name to allow registrations by third parties.
Any change is likely to occur well down the track in terms of timing and maybe some years away.
Should China Unicom proceed with its plan to extend the mission and purpose of .unicom, it will make a further application to ICANN for permission and would be happy to provide its changed plans in detail at that time.
In this endeavour, China Unicom will continue to comply with all operational, technical and policy requirements, as well as maintaining consumer trust and the stability of the internet. China Unicom will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to the .联通 gTLD including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement.
China Unicom intends to create relevant domain names for use including product, services, geographic names or Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) in the second or third level domain names to create a more positive user experience and convenience with .联通.
China Unicom is a well-recognised brand in China and other parts of the world with its “联通” trademark registered in 14 countries and territories, including Japan, the US, Hong Kong and India, in Class 38 Telecommunications.
China Unicom has 2 existing domain names containing the applied-for .联通 in 中国联通有限公司.com, 中国联通有限公司.net
China Unicom believes that the .联通 gTLD is unlikely to cause confusion with either a generic term or any existing TLDs. China Unicom trademarks are a leading global brand used in conjunction with its telecommunications services for over 10 years with significant reputation as the third largest mobile services provider in the world with over 260 million customers.
18(b). How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
18(B)I. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF YOUR PROPOSED gTLD IN TERMS OF AREAS OF SPECIALTY, SERVICE LEVELS OR REPUTATION?
The key goals of the proposed new .联通 gTLD are in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments: to promote consumer trust, competition and consumer choice. China Unicom also seeks to foster its online reputation and provide an authoritative internet space through which China Unicom is able to communicate with its customers directly and effectively on a more personal level. The ability to create domain names on demand related to specific marketing, specialty service and product development supports these goals. Strengthened security measures, service levels and more effective functionality will provide a trusted and positive user experience.
18(B)II. WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE YOUR PROPOSED gTLD WILL ADD TO THE CURRENT SPACE, IN TERMS OF COMPETITION, DIFFERENTIATION, OR INNOVATION?
It is anticipated that the proposed .联通 gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by providing:
DIFFERENTIATION (INCREASED TRUST):
The .联通 gTLD will simplify how internet users interact with China Unicom by providing a distinctive domain space. With the proposed .联通 gTLD, internet users will be able to navigate directly to the .联通 gTLD site, allowing China Unicom to provide services on a more professional and unique level relevant to each customer groups such as individual and enterprise customers. The .联通 gTLD will also allow more consumer-friendly and memorable domain names to provide a convenient avenue for internet users to receive services and communicate with China Unicom. The .联通 gTLD intends to improve and streamline customer service through dedicated domain names within the .联通 domain space, in which users will be able to comment and receive feedback from China Unicom concurrently. The current domain name system has shown that it is vulnerable to malicious abuses due to registration of domain names which seek to exploit consumer confusion. China Unicom can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .联通 domain space. Being unique to the brand, .联通 will instil more authority and unity by enabling China Unicom to take proactive measures to protect and strengthen its brand image. Together with consumer trust, internet users will be able to rely on the authoritativeness of the domain names under the .联通 domain space, which will differentiate interaction between internet users and China Unicom online.
COMPETITION:
The differentiation of the .联通 gTLD as a trusted site for China Unicom will drive existing and new TLD registry operators to make improvements in mechanisms to improve consumer trust of their TLDs. Internet users will be encouraged to interact with domain names under the .联通 domain space. As a result, .联通 will have a flow on effect to enable increased competition. Therefore, the benefits of the proposed .联通 gTLD will be distributed not only to its direct customers, but to the internet community at large forcing improved services and competitive pricing in the market place.
INNOVATION:
With the expansion of the internet community to all corners of the world, the existing TLD structure presents limitations, not only in the availability of domain names for registrants, but also to businesses and organisations establishing a coherent global online brand presence to meet their evolving business needs. It is often difficult to register a domain name in existing domain space due to unavailability of the desired name. This problem is amplified for organisations such as China Unicom who work across many different jurisdictions and geographical markets. Even when the desired domain name is available, it may come with a high price tag associated with a purchase of such desired name from a third party. China Unicom has the ability to create second or third level domain names including the use of geographic names and IDNs on demand which are relevant to its customer base, services and products. With memorable and shorter domain names under the .联通 gTLD, China Unicom will be able to increase efficiency through innovative management of its online presence by directing its customers to intuitive domain names relevant to the services and products offered by China Unicom. China Unicom will be able to combine its use of the domain space with innovative user focused marketing and services to address the currently unmet needs in the existing domain name system providing greater consumer choice.
18(B)III. WHAT GOALS DOES YOUR PROPOSED gTLD HAVE IN TERMS OF USER EXPERIENCE?
The proposed .联通 will provide a positive user experience, which meets the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. China Unicom will maintain control in the registration and use of domain names and will ensure that the new gTLD will only be used for purposes authorised by China Unicom. Therefore, the .联通 gTLD will:
- provide an easy and intuitive reference and access point for internet users by providing them with shorter and more memorable domain names;
- represent authenticity thus promoting user confidence;
- direct internet users to relevant information in a timely manner by creating domain names on demand;
- use IDNs to enable customer to interact directly in their native language;
- use geographic names to localise its websites to connect with internet users in the relevant regions and to comply with local laws;
- enhance security and minimise security risks by implementing necessary technical and policy measures;
- strengthen brand reputation and user confidence by consolidating all of China Unicom’s services and products of its different brands under the proposed .联通 gTLD thereby eliminating user confusion; and
- prevent potential abuses in the registration process reducing overall costs to businesses and users.
China Unicom intends to create relevant domain names for use including product, services or geographic names in the second or third level domain names. In accordance with registration policy and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to Question 22, China Unicom will use geographic names to localise its websites in the relevant territories it operates. The use of geographic names is intended to:
- connect internet users with relevant information as applicable to the territory; and
- comply with required rules and regulations in the relevant territory.
China Unicom will utilise Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the second level, initially in Chinese. The use of IDNs will allow internet users to engage with .联通 in their native language, creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity. As the use of .联通 evolves, it is anticipated that the use of IDNs may increase within the .联通 domain space.
.联通 should address the concerns that the current domain name system is open to potential malicious abuse and user confusion in the registration processes. Although the current system allows an eligible party to lodge a claim through existing Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) or other dispute resolution processes, the .联通 gTLD will reduce potential abuses in the registration processes and overall costs to internet users. User confidence in the domain name system will be strengthened, which will ultimately contribute towards promoting ICANN’s core values in benefiting the public interest.
18(B)IV. PROVIDE A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICANTʹS INTENDED REGISTRATION POLICIES IN SUPPORT OF THE GOALS LISTED ABOVE.
The proposed registration policy is attached in response to Question 28.
Only affiliate entities of China Unicom will be eligible to register domain names in .联通 at this stage. The domain name registration processes will address the requirements mandated by ICANN, including rights abuse prevention measures. As the use of the .联通 gTLD expands and evolves, China Unicom may consider expanding the use of the .联通 gTLD at a later date. Such expansion processes will comply with all policy, operational and technical requirements and will adhere to applicable measures to protect customer trust and the stability of the internet.
18(B)V. WILL YOUR PROPOSED gTLD IMPOSE ANY MEASURES FOR PROTECTING THE PRIVACY OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANTS OR USERS? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE ANY SUCH MEASURES.
China Unicom is committed to protection of privacy and confidential information in accordance with its objective of increasing consumer trust and providing a safe and legitimate internet space for internet users. Privacy and confidential information will be protected in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to internet security, privacy and user’s confidential information including Articles 38, 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Article 253 of the Criminal Code (PRC) and Article 140 of the Republic of China Civil Law General Rule (PRC).
China Unicom has also implemented its own privacy policy to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of user privacy and confidential information. Privacy is of fundamental concern to most of China Unicom’s customers, as such China Unicom has a strong interest in ensuring a high level of privacy protection for its customers. China Unicom has implemented measures such as an employee confidentiality agreement, publishing a network operation and maintenance manual, establishing a user data management authority and introducing billing regulations to protect user information. China Unicom’s privacy policy also covers the following aspects:
- Personal information collection: China Unicom will provide an explanation as to the usage of information prior to the collection of any personal information from its users. China Unicom ensures to collect the necessary information of users in a fair and legitimate way only with the consent of the users and for the sole and legitimate purpose of China Unicom’s business operation and activities.
- Use of personal information: China Unicom limits any use of personal information for its internal business purposes, the daily management and operation of its business and of services and products provided by China Unicom to its customers.
- Disclosure of personal information: China Unicom’s website takes reasonable security measures to protect the personal information provided by the users. Prior to the consent of users, the website will provide no personal information of the users to any unrelated third parties unless legally obliged to do so.
As the .联通 gTLD will only be available to affiliate entities of China Unicom, initially, the amount of personal data that will be collected for the purposes of operating the gTLD and made publicly available in the WHOIS database will be very limited. China Unicom will provide a publicly available and searchable WHOIS look up facility, where information about the domain name status, registrant information including administrative and technical contact details can be found in accordance with Specification 4 of the Registry Agreement. In order to prevent misuse of the WHOIS look up facility, China Unicom will utilise measures including a requirement where any person submitting a WHOIS database query is required to read and agree to the terms and conditions in accordance with the registration policy. This will include the terms of use that the WHOIS database is provided for information purposes only and that the user agrees not to use the information for any other purposes such as allowing or enabling the transmission of unsolicited commercial advertising or other communication.
China Unicom will deploy Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which is intended to benefit both China Unicom and its users interacting with China Unicom online. DNSSEC provides additional security by validating information in the transmission, therefore it is intended to benefit those who publish information in the domain name system (DNS) and the users who retrieve information from the new .联通 gTLD. China Unicom already implements measures to protect privacy or confidential information of its users against misuse, loss, alteration and unauthorised access. Such measures include the use of username password authentication, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and identity verification via SMS notification.
China Unicom will continue to apply all security measures currently implemented and will comply with all other policies and practices required by ICANN in the Registry Agreement and any relevant Consensus Policy for protecting the privacy and confidential information of registrants and users in the new .联通 domain space.
18(B)VI. DESCRIBE WHETHER AND IN WHAT WAYS OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATIONS WILL HELP TO ACHIEVE YOUR PROJECTED BENEFITS.
The proposed new gTLD will be publicised by a media plan to promote recognition of the new gTLD within the internet community to be a trusted site and as a sign of authenticity.
During the initial stage of the operation of the proposed new gTLD, it is anticipated that internet users will be re-directed to current websites. However, over time, it is foreseen that communication to the internet community of the existence of the proposed new gTLD and encouragement to utilise the trusted site will contribute towards minimising malicious abuses and protecting internet users.
18(c). What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs?
As a restricted gTLD, registration will only be open to internal users (affiliate entities) at this stage and no third parties will be able to register domain names under the .联通 domain space. Therefore, it is not anticipated that third party trademark owners will incur costs in relation to the .联通 gTLD. The affiliate entities wishing to register domain names must ensure that all the policy requirements for registration are satisfied. China Unicom will utilise the services of the proposed Trademark Clearinghouse to ensure that domain names registered and the use of those domain names, do not infringe any registered third party intellectual property rights.
No unaffiliated third party will be permitted to register domain names at this stage. It is estimated that time and money spent by consumers who have been targeted by malicious abuse in utilising services on the internet will reduce over time as a result of the new, trusted .联通 gTLD.
18(C)I. HOW WILL MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS FOR A PARTICULAR DOMAIN NAME BE RESOLVED, FOR EXAMPLE, BY AUCTION OR ON A FIRST-COME⁄FIRST-SERVE BASIS?
The initial use of the proposed new gTLD will be restricted to internal business use and China Unicom and affiliate entities are intended to be the registrants under the .联通 gTLD. Therefore conflicts between multiple applications are not anticipated to occur.
18(C)II. EXPLAIN ANY COST BENEFITS FOR REGISTRANTS YOU INTEND TO IMPLEMENT (E.G., ADVANTAGEOUS PRICING, INTRODUCTORY DISCOUNTS, BULK REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS).
This gTLD will be used for internal purposes only, at this stage, so pricing incentives are not applicable or relevant.
18(C)III. NOTE THAT THE REGISTRY AGREEMENT REQUIRES THAT REGISTRARS BE OFFERED THE OPTION TO OBTAIN INITIAL DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATIONS FOR PERIODS OF ONE TO TEN YEARS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE REGISTRAR, BUT NO GREATER THAN TEN YEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REGISTRY AGREEMENT REQUIRES ADVANCE WRITTEN NOTICE OF PRICE INCREASES. DO YOU INTEND TO MAKE CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS TO REGISTRANTS REGARDING THE MAGNITUDE OF PRICE ESCALATION? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PLAN.
This gTLD will be used for internal purposes only, at this stage, so pricing incentives or pricing increases are not applicable or relevant as no additional fees are to be charged.