DG INFSO & ISOC Brussels, Sophie Le Pallec MEDEF

What is MEDEF ? French business association Represents all industry sectors Represents both Internet users and operators Focus on a European Internet governance Focus on a space of trust and confidence for electronic commerce in Europe

DNS : what is at stake ? The most powerful transactional system in operation in the world Capable of supporting many more kind of operations that typical DNS requests (domain names): enum, payment ? Could become the single entry point for being established on the web and for doing electronic commerce.

DNS : a monopolistic industry Information goods industries are monopolistic-oriented industries The DNS is unique, only 13 root servers, centralized and hierarchical Registries are access points to the DNS Number of registries is limited : create artificial scarcity

DNS : threats/opportunity Opportunity : to develop an easy way to access the internet and to develop a secure and global transactions system Threats : to concentrate a strong power in the hand of a few actors/ one vision of the world imposed on the Internet DANGER ! after 11 September issues, importance to preserve and respect multicultural diversities

DNS : a governance issue Root server A : under the control of Verisign and the US department of commerce; ccTLD registries are privileged access to the DNS and their governance is quite independent; Necessity to promote international governance of the Internet;

Dot EU : What is it ? A privileged access point to the DNS and the opportunity for the European community to manage it The opportunity to promote a competitive and non- monopolistic industry on these technologies in Europe The opportunity to create a space on the Internet reserved for European culture and values The opportunity to create a space of trust and confidence to develop electronic transaction in the EU