Russian domain registrars sign memorandum on Runet development

At RIGF-2016, Russian domain registrars signed a memorandum on development of the Runet address space. The document establishes new directions, priorities and performance indicators for registrars in developing the Russian domain space.

The memorandum was signed by Russian TLD registrars, including the Coordination Center for TLD RU/РФ, the Foundation for Assistance for Internet Technologies and Infrastructure Development (FAITID) (.МОСКВА and .MOSCOW domains), the Coordination Center for the Regional Domain of the Republic of Tatarstan (.TATAR), the Smart Internet Foundation (.ДЕТИ), the Internet Development Foundation (.SU) and Rusnames (.РУС). Andrei Vorobyov, Director of the Coordination Center for TLD RU/РФ, signed the memorandum on behalf of the .RU and .РФ domains. “This memorandum is to improve the quality of the Russian domain space, and to build partner relations between all the Russian registrars. We will join our efforts to tackle many ambitious tasks that the registrars face,” Andrei Vorobyov said.

Dmitry Burkov (registrar for .МОСКВА and .MOSCOW) also had a positive response to the memorandum. “The memorandum will coordinate our actions. It gives a clear understanding of what registrars can do together. These are joint actions to promote a certain culture.”

Vladimir Mamontov (registrar for .ДЕТИ) noted that the Internet today plays a critical role in society. “The Internet reduces hypocrisy in the world. Thanks to the Internet, people are better educated and more knowledgeable. We will make sure the development of the Internet serves these purposes and strengthens its benefits.”

Dmitry Yelizarov (.TATAR) said that the signing of the memorandum for the national cultural domain means an opportunity to learn and gain experience from fellow experts.

Galina Soldatova, a representative of .SU, Russia’s oldest domain, said that .SU was a starting point for the entire Russian domain space, and the .SU registrar is ready to share its experience and knowledge with other Russian registrars.

“Russian registrars must work together,” concluded Alexei Sozonov representing the .РУС registrar.

Currently, there are 10 TLDs registered in Russia, including national domains and domains that were created as part of the new gTLD program. The majority of these domains are open for everybody. They shape the Russian domain landscape and enable users to participate in the development of the Russian Internet. Four Cyrillic domains, .РФ, .ДЕТИ, .МОСКВА and .РУС, make the Internet even more accessible for those who have limited or no command of English. Closer cooperation of the registrars, a common approach to Internet literacy in Russia, safer Runet, and cooperative outreach activities are becoming increasingly relevant. These are the objectives of the Memorandum of the Russian domain registrars on the development of the Runet address space. It will kick-start a new type of cooperation between Russian registrars based on common commitment to the improvement of the Russian Internet.