In response to a few queries about the significance of the new registry
announcement, and where competition/monopolies occur, the following is an
attempt to clarify.  I will avoid using the terms monopolies and competition
in my descriptions as they are frequently mis-used on this list and by the
media.  I will leave it to others to make those judgements.

I will describe the functions, the current status of which companies perform
those functions, and the future status of which companies perform those
functions for ".com.au" as an example.  A similar model can be created for
the other 2LDs.


Function:  DNS Registry (also called thin registry) - contains the domain
names, the 	nameserver information for each domain name, and the company
responsible for managing 	that domain name on behalf of the registrant
- produces the zone file for distribution 	to nameservers
Current company responsible: Melbourne IT
New company responsible: AusRegistry (subsidiary of RegistrarsAsia
http://www.registrarsasia.com.au/)

Function: WHOIS Registry - contains details on the domain name licence
holder, administrative and technical contact details, domain name creation
date - publicly accessible
Current company responsible: auDA (via AUNIC http://www.aunic.net)
New company responsible: AusRegistry

Function: Authoritative ".com.au" Name server - provides the DNS service to
Internet end users (e/g via the web browser) that wish to translate a text
domain name into a physical Internet location
Current company responsible: University of Melbourne (via munnari.oz.au)
New company responsible: AusRegistry

The combination of the above 3 functions (DNS registry, WHOIS service, and
Nameserver service)  is now called the REGISTRY, and is now centralised with
one company for all open 2LDS.

Function: Policy Compliance - check all domain name applications against the
domain name policy before entering into the DNS Registry and the WHOIS
Registry
Current company responsible: Melbourne IT
New companies responsible: any domain name retailers accredited and licenced
by auDA - now called REGISTRARS (the new policy should be easier to apply,
and less subjective)

Function: Customer service - assist domain name registrants in the
management of their domains - for example by facilitating changes in contact
details, nameservers, or facilitating renewals
Current companies responsible: any domain name retailer
New companies responsible: any domain name retailer


In simple terms:

* there will be a single company operating the REGISTRY.

* there will continue to be a large number of companies that provide retail
customer service to registrants at a range of prices and service levels.

* auDA will directly accredit and licence some of these companies (auda
accredited REGISTRARS) to have full access to make any changes or additions
to the underlying registry databases - these companies must pass checks on
their knowledge of domain name policy (ie to ensure they do not enter the
wrong names into the database and ensure that the information supplied is
not fraudulent), and pass checks on their technical ability to ensure that
they do not corrupt the registry database. Registrants must accept an
agreement with these REGISTRARS for domain name registration.

* Companies that are not accredited by auDA will NOT be able to
electronically communicate with the REGISTRY, and must operate through a
REGISTRAR.  They can act on behalf of a domain name registrant, but the
Registrant must still accept an agreement with a REGISTRAR.  These companies
are called RESELLERS.  Note a reseller can operate through multiple
registrars.

There are quite a few subtle changes in the industry structure, and it is
not clear what the final prices and effect will be on the registrant.  The
intent is to provide a better service and a better price, and improve the
conduct of companies offering services in the marketplace.

The new structure is very close to the structure of ".biz" and ".info" for
direct comparison.  It is difficult to compare the old ".com.au" model with
the new ".com.au" model without a detailed technical understanding of the
functions.

Bruce Tonkin