Re: GSM Association and NeuStar Sign Agreement to Offer Root DNS Services

[Romeo Zwart <Romeo.Zwart () ams-ix net>]

Stephane Bortzmeyer wrote:
> It can be of operational interest or it can fuel a new flame about
> alternative DNS roots.

Another flame fest? Possibly, but only if caused by lack of understanding where the Neustar DNS root will be living. 
This DNS structure for GPRS roaming lives in its own separate universe. As GSM in general does. :) 

GPRS providers do (usually) offer a connected mobile handset the possibility to connect to TheInternetAtLarge -- no 
flames about walled gardens, please :) . For Internet access the mobile will query what you might call 'DNS-proper' ; 
i.e. the mobile's domain namespace is in the real Internet. 

The services provided by Neustar will live in the non-public IP space that connects the GPRS (and IMS, and MMS) 
infrastructure, which is separate from the end-user (mobile device) IP space. 

Cheers, 

Romeo 

> http://www.neustar.com/pressroom/files/announcements/ns_pr_09282005.pdf
>
> GSM Association and NeuStar Sign Agreement to Offer Root DNS Services
> to More than 680 Global GSM Mobile Operators
>
> ...
>
> NeuStar's Root DNS service will serve two functions: first, to
> register domain names under the suffixes "gprs" and "3gppnetwork.org,"
> which are used to register private domain names that allow operators
> to retrieve routing information when a subscriber accesses data and
> multimedia services on a roaming or home network. For example, a U.S.
> mobile subscriber traveling on business in Singapore will be able to
> access a video or audio file using their mobile device while roaming
> on a local GSM network.
>
> Additionally, NeuStar will operate the master DNS root server and
> provide updates to GRX (GPRS Roaming Exchange) and MMS (Multimedia
> Messaging Service) providers, allowing mobile operators to access
> updated DNS routing information.
>
> ...