[ICANN]<http://www.icann.org/> News Alert https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-02-26-en ________________________________ ICANN Announces the Release of "Middle East DNS Study" 26 February 2016 The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announces the publication of the final report<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/meac-dns-study-26feb16-en.pdf> [PDF, 8.38 MB] on the Domain Name System (DNS) for the Middle East and Adjoining Countries (MEAC). "Middle East DNS Study" was completed after receiving feedback on the initial draft, which was published before the ICANN54 meeting in Dublin. The report will be discussed at ICANN55 at the DNS Industry in the Middle East<https://meetings.icann.org/en/marrakech55/schedule/tue-middle-east-dns> session on Tuesday, 8 March, from 16:30-18:00 (WET). Report Findings The report presents findings on the current state of the Internet and the domain name industry in the MEAC region, including: * Best practices that have affected the growth in domain names * Business potentials in the domain name market * Domain name industry and registration data in the wider context of the region's Internet development * Internet usage patterns and user preferences * Region's hosting industry * Importance of local language content * Recommended to stimulate wider uptake Research Team and Methods ICANN selected a consortium led by the .eu Registry (EURid), with support from Emily Taylor Internet Research, Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property and Oxford Information Labs, to conduct the DNS study. The report, based on qualitative and quantitative data gathered in 2015, draws on relevant benchmarks and best practices developed in the global ccTLD environment. The data presented in this report was gathered from a variety of sources, including a specially commissioned multi-country user survey, direct contact with ccTLD registries and registrars, and extensive data analysis of the gTLD open zone files. Final "Middle East DNS Study<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/meac-dns-study-26feb16-en.pdf>" [PDF, 8.38 MB]. ### About ICANN ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you have to type an address into your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation and a community with participants from all over the world. ICANN and its community help keep the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It also promotes competition and develops policy for the top-level of the Internet's naming system and facilitates the use of other unique Internet identifiers. For more information please visit: www.icann.org<https://www.icann.org/>.