Report on the Redelegation of the .TG domain representing Togo to the Autorite de Reglementation des Secteurs de Postes et de Telecommunications (ART&P)
18 January 2016
This report is being provided under the contract for performance of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) function between the United States Government and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Under that contract, ICANN performs the “IANA functions”, which include receiving delegation and redelegation requests concerning TLDs, investigating the circumstances pertinent to those requests, making its recommendations, and reporting actions undertaken in connection with processing such requests.
Factual Information
Country
The “TG” ISO 3166-1 code is designated for use to represent Togo.
Chronology of events
The currently designated manager for the .TG top-level domain is Cafe Informatique et Telecommunications, as described in the IANA Root Zone Database. Cafe Informatique et Telecommunications has managed the .TG domain since 1996.
On 11 February 1998, Autorite de Reglementation des Secteurs de Postes et de Telecommunications (ART&P) was created by Telecommunications Act No. 98-005.
On 14 May 2012, Order No. 005/MPT/CAB appointed ART&P the administrative manager of the .TG top-level domain.
On 18 June 2012, a work meeting took place between the commission in charge of the redelegation project and the local Internet community. After an exchange of views, the local Internet community provided support for the redelegation of .TG.
On 13 July 2012, the Togolese government and Cafe Informatique et Telecommunications signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on the redelegation of the .TG domain.
On 15 February 2013, Cafe Informatique et Telecommunications agreed to continue performing the role of the technical contact for .TG under the administration of ART&P after the redelegation is complete, to ensure a smooth transition.
On 20 January 2015, Autorite de Reglementation des Secteurs de Postes et de Telecommunications (ART&P) commenced a request to ICANN for redelegation of the .TG top-level domain.
Proposed Sponsoring Organisation and Contacts
The proposed sponsoring organization is Reglementation des Secteurs de Postes et de Telecommunications (ART&P), a national regulatory authority in Togo.
The proposed administrative contact is Abayeh Boyodi, the Chief Executive Officer of ART&P. The administrative contact is understood to be based in Togo.
The proposed technical contact is Yawo Noagbodji. Chief Executive Officer of Cafe Informatique et Telecommunications.
Evaluation of the Request
String Eligibility
The top-level domain is eligible for continued delegation under ICANN policy, as it is the assigned ISO 3166-1 two-letter code representing Togo.
Public Interest
Government support was provided by Cina Lawson, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Republic of Togo.
Additional community support was provided by:
- Azanlekor Ekoué Segla, Resp. Computer Cell, Université Catholique de Afrique de Ouest- Unité Universitaire du Togo (UCAO-UUT);
- Dogba Agbeko, President, Entente des Specialistes des Technologies des TIC (ESTETIC);
- Laba Komlan, Association Togolaise des Consommateurs (ATC);
- Tepe Kossi, Teacher, University of Lome;
- Wallah Palakiyem, Teacher/Researcher, University of Kara;
- Jonathan Fiawoo, President, of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo.
The application is consistent with known applicable local laws in Togo.
The proposed sponsoring organization undertakes responsibility to operate the domain in a fair and equitable manner.
Based in country
The proposed sponsoring organization is constituted in Togo. The proposed administrative contact is understood to be resident in Togo.
Stability
The request is deemed uncontested, with the currently listed sponsoring organization consenting to the transfer.
Based on the information submitted, ICANN staff has not identified any stability issues given the technical operation is not changing. The currently designated manager has agreed to continue to act as the technical operator of the domain.
Competency
The application has provided satisfactory details on the technical and operational infrastructure and expertise that will be used to operate the .TG domain. Proposed policies for management of the domain have also been tendered.
Evaluation Procedure
ICANN is tasked with coordinating the Domain Name System root zone as part of a set of functions governed by a contract with the U.S. Government. This includes accepting and evaluating requests for delegation and redelegation of top-level domains.
A subset of top-level domains are designated for the local Internet communities in countries to operate in a way that best suits their local needs. These are known as country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs), and are assigned by ICANN to responsible trustees (known as “Sponsoring Organisations”) that meet a number of public-interest criteria for eligibility. These criteria largely relate to the level of support the trustee has from its local Internet community, its capacity to ensure stable operation of the domain, and its applicability under any relevant local laws.
Through ICANN’s IANA department, requests are received for delegating new ccTLDs, and redelegating or revoking existing ccTLDs. An investigation is performed on the circumstances pertinent to those requests, and, when appropriate, the requests are implemented and a recommendation for delegation or redelegation is made to the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Purpose of evaluations
The evaluation of eligibility for ccTLDs, and of evaluating responsible trustees charged with operating them, is guided by a number of principles. The objective of the assessment is that the action enhances the secure and stable operation of the Internet’s unique identifier systems.
In considering requests to delegate or redelegate ccTLDs, input is sought regarding the proposed new Sponsoring Organisation, as well as from persons and organisations that may be significantly affected by the change, particularly those within the nation or territory to which the ccTLD is designated.
The assessment is focussed on the capacity for the proposed sponsoring organisation to meet the following criteria:
- The domain should be operated within the country, including having its sponsoring organisation and administrative contact based in the country.
- The domain should be operated in a way that is fair and equitable to all groups in the local Internet community.
- Significantly interested parties in the domain should agree that the prospective trustee is the appropriate party to be responsible for the domain, with the desires of the national government taken very seriously.
- The domain must be operated competently, both technically and operationally. Management of the domain should adhere to relevant technical standards and community best practices.
- Risks to the stability of the Internet addressing system must be adequately considered and addressed, particularly with regard to how existing identifiers will continue to function.
Method of evaluation
To assess these criteria, information is requested from the applicant regarding the proposed sponsoring organisation and method of operation. In summary, a request template is sought specifying the exact details of the delegation being sought in the root zone. In addition, various documentation is sought describing: the views of the local internet community on the application; the competencies and skills of the trustee to operate the domain; the legal authenticity, status and character of the proposed trustee; and the nature of government support fort he proposal. The view of any current trustee is obtained, and in the event of a redelegation, the transfer plan from the previous sponsoring organisation to the new sponsoring organisation is also assessed with a view to ensuring ongoing stable operation of the domain.
After receiving this documentation and input, it is analysed in relation to existing root zone management procedures, seeking input from parties both related to as well as independent of the proposed sponsoring organisation should the information provided in the original application be deficient. The applicant is given the opportunity to cure any deficiencies before a final assessment is made.
Once all the documentation has been received, various technical checks are performed on the proposed sponsoring organisation’s DNS infrastructure to ensure name servers are properly configured and are able to respond to queries correctly. Should any anomalies be detected, ICANN staff will work with the applicant to address the issues.
Assuming all issues are resolved, an assessment is compiled providing all relevant details regarding the proposed sponsoring organisation and its suitability to operate the relevant top-level domain.