[dns-wg] Elimination of 2nd level ccTLD domain names

    I'm new to this particular WG

For a Charter of this WG, see http://www.ripe.net/ripe/wg/dns/index.html

    but I'd like to raise an issue that I feel is 
    best discussed in a European DNS forum.  It has to do with .eu:
    <http://europa.eu.int/information_society/newsroom/cf/itemlongdetail.cfm?item_id=1383>
    
    According to my understanding, there will be direct 2nd level domains - 
    like ibm.eu or ripe.eu or even tonyblair.eu.  Up till now, most countries 
    employed a hierarchical structure such as ac.xx or co.xx or org.xx.
    
    What do we lose by eliminating 2nd level domains?  Since .eu is a totally 
    new TLD - perhaps not much, but what happens to countries that then decide 
    to follow the same path as Singapore recently did (they are cc'ed to this 
    email):
    http://www.nic.net.sg/newsroom/20040816030345.html
    
    Are there any limitations to what a 2nd level domain name can be (not 
    referring to trademarks)?  I.e. would a single digit or letter be 
    allowed?  Would co.sg be allowed (up till now com.sg was the main 
    commercial 2nd level domain)?

Note that these questions are really concerning the local naming
policy in a domain. There is no global answer to these questions.
It really depends on the local policy. I seem to remember that the
introduction of SLDs in the sg domain was at request of the local
community.
    
    Are other countries considering following the same path?

I'm not aware of others but it might. Thise type of questions are
best asked at a more policy oriented mailing list, such as
cctld-discuss at wwtld.org.

	jaap