ICANN is issuing today a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential Emergency Back-End Registry Operators (EBERO).
One of ICANN's core missions is to preserve the operational security and stability of the Internet while also supporting open competition. With the upcoming launch of the New generic Top-Level Domain (New gTLD) program, the Internet will see a number of new gTLD registry operators. Although all applicants must meet technical, operational and financial requirements the community developed new gTLD program includes provision for a backup process. The EBERO is designed to be activated should a registry operator require assistance to sustain critical registry functions for a period of time or in the case of transition for one registry operator to another. Candidates are expected to meet the requirements outlined in the RFI, which requires, for example, at least three years of experience in operating Domain Name services (DNS) and one year of experience operating Registration Data Directory Services (RDDS) and Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) services. Besides the technical requirements, ICANN seeks candidates from geographically diverse regions in order to provide local service to registries in all regions and provide alternate sites in case of local disasters.
ICANN is looking forward to receiving comprehensive information from the potential candidates. Negotiations with certain respondents to the RFI that provide comprehensive information will be initiated for the purpose of creating process details and entering into an agreement to provide backend services.
The announcement was sourced from :
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-14sep11-en.htm