II.1 Overview of Registry Operator's Capabilities
(RFP D13.1)

The JVTeam Story

JVTeam brings to the domain name market the combined capabilities of NeuStar and Melbourne IT in order to provide the next generation domain name registry through technological innovation and proven channel management expertise by delivering the world's most advanced domain name services on a trusted third party basis.

The Beginning

When ICANN announced its intention to initiate a formal process to introduce new top level domains (TLDs), both Melbourne IT and NeuStar saw a unique opportunity perfectly aligned with their individual business goals. Independently, each company saw itself as a strong competitor. Melbourne IT is a trusted provider of registry and registrar domain name services and operates a shared registry system to aggregate resellers' requests and interface to the existing registry system. NeuStar is a trusted third party provider of critical clearinghouse services that enable communications networks to interoperate.

Similarities in experience and principles were identified and discussed in depth. Neutrality is a major focus of both companies and they are committed to impartiality and fairness. Both recognize the importance of understanding and working successfully within regulatory environments. Both companies have registry experience but in different arenas. Each is committed to developing and cultivating long term relationships with clients. Both are focused on technological innovation and quality service. Both see the Internet as a truly international public resource. In addition to the similarities, complimentary experience was also considered. Melbourne IT is a recognized industry leader in domain name channel management, and NeuStar is a recognized industry leader in shared registry and data center operations.

Through the course of these discussions it became apparent to both companies that while each was a strong competitor independently, together they could combine their respective talents and resources to serve the Internet community's need for a stable, experienced registry. As shown in Exhibit II.1-1 it was this mutual recognition of overlapping core competencies and complementary skills, combined with a desire to make a significant contribution to the Internet that was the genesis of JVTeam.

Team Formation A Team for Success

In reviewing the evaluation criteria presented by ICANN, Melbourne IT and NeuStar agreed that to address the issues raised in the RFP and comply with the spirit of the request, the successful introduction of new TLDs requires the following:

A reputation as a trusted, neutral third party administrator to promote fair and evenhanded competition among registrars

Geographical diversity of operations to support a global enterprise

Proven registry development and operations experience to ensure the highest levels of quality service to customers

Proven, evenhanded policy administration expertise

Technological innovation to provide high quality service and new features and functionality

Proven channel management expertise to facilitate early and streamlined adoption by the registrar community

They further agreed that a successful registry operator committed to increasing competition in the Internet must:

Understand the Internet environment

Build on the strength of its DNS experience

Have substantial database and distributed network experience

Have proven credentials in managing a significant public database

Operate the registry with integrity in a consistent, equitable, and neutral manner

Develop policy guidelines and long-term solutions for secure management of vital public resources

In addition, Melbourne IT and NeuStar recognized they shared a philosophy which incorporated a commitment to competition with a vision of the Internet as a global resource readily available to individuals as well as organizations. As these issues continued to be discussed, the two companies realized their vision must become a reality. Together they would be a formidable team committed to the responsible, evolutionary development of the DNS. They formed JVTeam.

JVTeam Overview and Structure

JVTeam is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed by Melbourne IT, a public Australian company, and NeuStar, a United States corporation. JVTeam combines the capabilities, experience, and resources of these two outstanding organizations to ensure the stability of the Internet by providing a new generation of registry services that will provide high quality service as well as new features and functionality beneficial to the end user. JVTeam has the full corporate support and financial backing of both Melbourne IT and NeuStar to successfully support the needs of the Internet industry.

JVTeam will be managed by its own set of officers, and will assume all responsibilities and contractual obligations for the registry services outlined in this proposal. In this regard we will:

Design, build, and/or customize all registry system components

Establish and manage the network infrastructure required

Deliver all registry services

Provide all support services: billing, customer support, etc.

Provide overall quality assurance

JVTeam is managed and staffed by experienced, dedicated individuals from within the industry who are keenly aware of the sensitivities and needs of the industry including:

Experienced, neutral, and evenhanded third party administration

Consistent service and stable systems that are extremely reliable and secure

Sensitivity to the demands, timetables, and ever-changing landscape of the evolving Internet environment

Subject matter expertise and experience in key technologies

Commitment to the ongoing cooperative development of a first-of-its-kind industry capability through a fully open, non-proprietary environment

Awareness of the need for flexible, scalable management and technical operations

Neutrality in a Competitive Environment

Neutrality for us is not a platitude; it is our identity, conveying impeccable, high-quality, evenhanded service essential to the central role we will play in the industry. We will process extremely sensitive and proprietary data to the highest security and confidentiality standards. We will not provide registrar services in competition with our customers. JVTeam is committed to the promotion of competition at the registry level and its goal is the equitable treatment of all registrars. Our previous experience as a registrar provides us the registrar perspective: We understand their needs, concerns, and issues. This understanding clarifies our responsibility to act in strict adherence to the principles of a neutral third party. All of our services will be available to all registrars on non-discriminatory terms. Neutrality is a belief we embrace and have embodied in the JVTeam Code of Conduct we have developed and by which we will abide.

JVTeam intends to maximize our strengths, and leverage our marketing power, database skills, and investment to pursue DNS related opportunities. We are committed to the long-term viability of this company, and the domain name registry business. We plan to deliver quality registry operations in the most cost-effective and equitable fashion possible. And we plan to succeed.

II.1.1 Company Information (RFP Section D13.1.1)

JVTeam, L.L.C.

Date of Formation: September 21, 2000

Legal Status: Limited Liability Company

Established in the State of Delaware, USA

Primary Location: 1120 Vermont Ave. NW

Washington, DC 20005

USA

Size of Staff: *See Registry Operator's Proposal Section II.1.7

Formal Alliances: *See Registry Operator's Proposal Section II.1.3

References: *See Registry Operator's Proposal Section II.1.3

Corporate or Other Structure: Limited Liability Company

Ownership Structure: 55% owned by NeuStar, Inc.

45% owned by Melbourne IT Ltd. Pty.

*As explained in the preceding section, JVTeam is a limited liability company created to function as a registry.