.mobi RFP = Success of .mobi

[Traveler]

I have been waiting for months now to see how MTLD deals with the RFP process. In my opinion I believe how they distribute the reserved .mobi names has the potential to make or break the .mobi extension.

I have no idea what sort of applications they have recieved for the reserved domain names. I would hope that if they get applications from established companies they would release the names freely.

If we learn in the coming weeks they gave up the first RFP names to less than credible entities I will lose confidence in the viability of this extension. However, If we see the names going to the "big boys" I will gain a great deal of enthusiasm for the potential of .mobi.

Does anyone else feel this RFP process is a make or break for .mobi?

 

[-REECE-]

I have been waiting for months now to see how MTLD deals with the RFP process. In my opinion I believe how they distribute the reserved .mobi names has the potential to make or break the .mobi extension.

I have no idea what sort of applications they have recieved for the reserved domain names. I would hope that if they get applications from established companies they would release the names freely.

If we learn in the coming weeks they gave up the first RFP names to less than credible entities I will lose confidence in the viability of this extension. However, If we see the names going to the "big boys" I will gain a great deal of enthusiasm for the potential of .mobi.

Does anyone else feel this RFP process is a make or break for .mobi?

Yes, I actually posted something almost exactly the same, earlier in a different thread... Great minds think alike it seems

We need to see genuine developments with these 'key' sites. These are the sites which truly define mobile. Sure, we may have a whole mobile internet someday -- but it will be baby steps first for your average user. And that will start with things like weather and ringtones...

 

[Traveler]

Yes, I actually posted something almost exactly the same, earlier in a different thread... Great minds think alike it seems

We need to see genuine developments with these 'key' sites. These are the sites which truly define mobile. Sure, we may have a whole mobile internet someday -- but it will be baby steps first for your average user. And that will start with things like weather and ringtones...

I saw your posts about it, and you mentioned the timing of it. I do think it has a great deal to do with timing. However, I think they need to push those reserved names out as fast as possible given that they are put in the hands of companies or corporations with the budget and desire to develop them. I would be more than happy to see all the reserved names released in the next 12 months as long as they get developed!

O.K. the reality is the mobile web has yet to hit my market, the "U.S". It looks at least 2-5 years before the mobile web will really becomes mainstream here. So maybe MTLD has a bit of time but they better show us something, because for now other than making some money at auction and collecting our money for domain names they just don't seem to be doing all that much.

It is apparent to me that all those "backers" they say they have are not pushing them to do much of anything with this extension.

 

[Jeff]

Does anyone else feel this RFP process is a make or break for .mobi?

... because for now other than making some money at auction and collecting our money for domain names they just don't seem to be doing all that much.

It is apparent to me that all those "backers" they say they have are not pushing them to do much of anything with this extension.

Yes.
Agree.
Again, agree.

All very good observations, IMHO .... and at the risk of looking like I constantly repeat myself, I mean repeat myself, here in the .MOBI Forum™, I think this is a critical time for the extension and there are a LOT of unanswered questions, in my view. I truly feel that these concerns are widespread amongst the .MOBI Community - some of the PM's and Email's that I've been receiving would borderline on the discouraged, if not depressed, with their investments to date - and I do worry daily, as most of you know, for the End user / developed "ecosystem", IMHO.

Hopefully candor and detailed answers are forthcoming!
-Jeff

 

[GeoOwners]

I think in his visit to namepros Pinky said it would be a 2 year process to get the 5600 names out...

I think the internet will change the way we buy pizza.


.

What role of the Internet in the modern world? We shall talk about

I think the internet will change the way we buy pizza.

did I repeat myself?


.

 

[accent]

Ah... but they auctioned off Pizza.mobi and now it goes to a parking page. And it is going to stay there, most likely, because they sold it at a convention of people whose business is buying domain names and parking them.

I think the big thing we need to impress on Mr Pinky is the importance of proper placement of the RFP domains. I fully agree with Jeff and the OP on that. I am not ready to say that all they are doing is taking our money (although they certainly are doing that). Convincing major corporations to act is particular ways is not a public affair. We do not know if they are goofing off or fully engaged in corporate magic-making.

The second TRAFFIC auction has been their only miscalculation so far that I can see. And the first gave them such a push a second try is understandable. So I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, and assume that their plans will slowly and successfully be fulfilled. But the time for smoke and mirrors is fading. The domain community knows about .Mobi. The world does not.

 

[scandiman]

RFP and compliance are both critical IMO. RFP if conducted well will put up some great sites that will increase public awareness of the TLD. But code compliance is equally important to establish a level of trust that mobi sites will work on a phone.

The Moniker auctions are fun to watch and pull in some quick cash but I think they are wasting the future by putting great domains in the hands of people who probably won't develop any real sites. Perhaps a hybrid style RFP and auction could work. Get a pool of quality proposals for a domain and then have an auction among the accepted proposals. The pricing would reflect the real business opportunity of an end user not just the resale opportunity of a domainer.

 

[RogueWriter]

I don't agree with the idea that specific domains need to be held back and then doled out to only those who are deemed to be important enough to use the domain wisely.

The end goal of any business is to increase the value of that business. To increase earnings, reduce expenses, etc. If you have domains that are of special value, put them out for an open auction, with a reserve. that's the way you maximize value. If that domain is critical to a specific industry and business, then that company will kick out the money for the domain. The individual/company that wins the auction will then maximize the value of their own company - whether that is a semi permanent parked page, or whether it is an actual developed site.

 

[Pred]

I have been waiting for months now to see how MTLD deals with the RFP process. In my opinion I believe how they distribute the reserved .mobi names has the potential to make or break the .mobi extension.

I have no idea what sort of applications they have recieved for the reserved domain names. I would hope that if they get applications from established companies they would release the names freely.

If we learn in the coming weeks they gave up the first RFP names to less than credible entities I will lose confidence in the viability of this extension. However, If we see the names going to the "big boys" I will gain a great deal of enthusiasm for the potential of .mobi.

Does anyone else feel this RFP process is a make or break for .mobi?

I don't think it's make or break. But it is clearly very important.
We are all waiting with baited breath. Maybe it's good thing they are taking longer along as they don't take MUCH longer!

RFP and compliance are both critical IMO. RFP if conducted well will put up some great sites that will increase public awareness of the TLD. But code compliance is equally important to establish a level of trust that mobi sites will work on a phone.

The Moniker auctions are fun to watch and pull in some quick cash but I think they are wasting the future by putting great domains in the hands of people who probably won't develop any real sites. Perhaps a hybrid style RFP and auction could work. Get a pool of quality proposals for a domain and then have an auction among the accepted proposals. The pricing would reflect the real business opportunity of an end user not just the resale opportunity of a domainer.

A very good idea. I think a mix of Traffic & what you suggest is best.
Maybe some mtld money spnt on advertising in newspapers etc too?

 

[labrocca]

RFP = Reaping Forward Profits

It's a scam by mtld to extract as much money as they can from end-users and domainers. With 5k names in 2 years that would mean they need to release 6+ names per day. No way are they able to do that and have so far shown their desire to sell to highest bidder (Traffic gained them $300k). At the current rate they will make millions and in 2 years release less than 10% of their names.

 

[Keith]

RFP = Reaping Forward Profits

It's a scam by mtld to extract as much money as they can from end-users and domainers. With 5k names in 2 years that would mean they need to release 6+ names per day. No way are they able to do that and have so far shown their desire to sell to highest bidder (Traffic gained them $300k). At the current rate they will make millions and in 2 years release less than 10% of their names.

That sounds about right. A group of billion dollar corps. getting together to take the public for millions. That makes perfect sense!

keithmt

 

[scandiman]

RFP = Reaping Forward Profits

It's a scam by mtld to extract as much money as they can from end-users and domainers. With 5k names in 2 years that would mean they need to release 6+ names per day. No way are they able to do that and have so far shown their desire to sell to highest bidder (Traffic gained them $300k). At the current rate they will make millions and in 2 years release less than 10% of their names.

So if a domainer turns reg fee into $300k it's ok but when mtld does it, just as they said they would, it is a scam?

 

[Work In Progress]

RFP = Reaping Forward Profits

It's a scam by mtld to extract as much money as they can from end-users and domainers. With 5k names in 2 years that would mean they need to release 6+ names per day. No way are they able to do that and have so far shown their desire to sell to highest bidder (Traffic gained them $300k). At the current rate they will make millions and in 2 years release less than 10% of their names.

What's this I see?..the spoon stirring things up...again...

I agree with Scandi on this one. Just sounds like Pinky has good business sense. Just because mtld is not going the conventional route for releasing doesn't define it as a scam. It seems they have thought this entire process out carefully. I really don't think they're in this for a quick buck (unlike many domainers.) It's in their best interest to be around for a l o n g time. As long as they do it properly and re-invest some profit into advertising,they'll be reaping the rewards of renewals for a lot more than 2 years.

I'm looking forward to Mr. Pinky's visit to hopefully let us in on some of the upcoming plans

 

[Keith]

The withholding and auctioning of the names gives people like me an idea of what the market value is. People fighting over the names at reg. fee does nothing to help the ext. The odds are better that good names will end up in the right hands this way.

keithmt

 

[labrocca]

That sounds about right. A group of billion dollar corps. getting together to take the public for millions. That makes perfect sense!

keithmt

You shouldn't speak on something you have no clue about. The structure of mtld can be read over at their site. mtld is not owned by a group of billion dollar corps. It's owned by savvy marketers that previously worked for billion dollar companies. mtld is nothing but a handful of middle income executives that have found a nice way to make millions.

http://pc.mtld.mobi/mobilenet/about_srmanagement.html

These people were probably making nice $xxx,xxx income and now stand to make $x,xxx,xxx income over the next few years.

Keithmt...you have no clue what you are talking about sometimes. mtld is not a branch company of the cell companies that "back" it...as a matter of fact the relationship between the backer and mtld is still unknown. Supposedly they choked up $10 million to help start mtld...between them it's nothing but a drop in the bucket for their working capital. Understanding this relationship is the first step in understanding mtld and it's intentions.

The desire to make money is always #1. When you dupe the public into believing something not true..that's a scam. Their rfp is bs.

 

[Keith]

Number 1, it is $18 million in investments from the backers to start this venture. Number 2, my post doesnt say that the companies own .mobi, but merely that they have got together as a group to support it. And yes, they along with mtld stand to profit and simply would not waste their time and money to make pennies off of reg. fees. Mtld would not exist if it were not for these major companies supporting them.

keithmt

 

[scandiman]

mtld is nothing but a handful of middle income executives that have found a nice way to make millions.

This almost sounds like you are jealous. :lol:

When you dupe the public into believing something not true..that's a scam. Their rfp is bs.

In general, they've done what they said they would do so how is it a scam?

 

[Jeff]

:hi:

The four initial RFP's have been delayed at least two times, I think we can safely say three times after Monday, April 30th. It is not very encouraging ... and I've long stated that the RFP's are CRITICAL to the adoption and acceptance, and I'd dare say survival, of the .MOBI! :gl: :imho:

Are there some general, very initial indications / "flashing yellow lights" with respect to the .MOBI, I would say yes. Is there good reason to at least be concerned a bit about some of the important points that Jesse and others bring up regarding the .MOBI/mTLD, again I'd say yes. Should mTLD be addressing these questions and concerns more proactively - particulary here on Namepros™ with a dedicated and very active .MOBI Forum™ ... absolutely they should be! :talk:

Has, or will, a scam be committed ... no, I don't believe so. Time will tell of course, but mTLD needs to address the issues, answer the questions, and become more involved and transparent, in my view - I think YOU folks here deserve that much! :yell:

Just my two humbles.
-Jeff

 

[acc]

Dot Mobi Q and A

Q. Has ANY other domain extension since the .com EVER created as much excitement, discussion, or debate as .mobi?
A. No

Q. Has ANY other domain extension since the .com EVER had so much pent up potential for those with a vision as .mobi?
A. No

Q. Has ANY other domain extension rollout EVER had as comprehensive a marketing plan, commercial backing, multifaceted support, and worldwide reach as Dot Mobi?
A. No

Q. Does every detail of the inner workings of a business such as Dot-Mobi have to be made public knowledge?
A. No.

Q. Are the standards being imposed on this tld by some in this and other forums the same as ANY other in the history of domaining?
A. No

Q. Will the ever-raising-bar being set by some non-believers/non-investors/non-developers ever be reached in their eyes?
A. No.

Q. Should that discourage .mobi believers, investors, developers, traders, or spectators from continuing forward with their own plans of involvement at THEIR OWN pace?
A. No.

Q. Is there a deadline for having all your mobis developed OR ELSE mobi will be doomed?
A. No.

Q. Has the constant barrage of drive-by flames of .mobi and the "$0-reg fee" default appraisals that we experienced since 9-26-06 subsided?
A. Yes

Q. Has it been replaced by a more subtle, yet persistent, pervasive techique of that includes left-handed-compliments or negative-connotations in otherwise neutral posts?
A. Yes.

Q. Can all but the newest of newbies see through the negativity?
A. Yes.

Q. Are some lousy names that aren't worth the reg fee in ANY extension still being registered in .mobi by many today?
A. Yes.

Q. Is it their money to risk if they want to?
A. Yes.

Q. Are there any good domain names to be found in new regs for.mobi names?
A. Yes.

Q. Will the .mobi extension help accelerate the buildout of the mobile web?
A. Yes.

Q. Do I wish all domainers of ANY-extension persuasion the best of luck in their domain sales or development projects?
A. Yes

Q. Is the Dot-Mobi section of the NP forum one of the most vibrant, enjoyable, promising, potentially lucrative communities to be a part of?
A. Absolutely, Yes!

Q. Are you part of the .mobi future?
A. ...................................................................

Mobi On!
-acc

 

[GeoOwners]

:hi:

The four initial RFP's have been delayed at least two times, I think we can safely say three times after Monday, April 30th. It is not very encouraging ... and I've long stated that the RFP's are CRITICAL to the adoption and acceptance, and I'd dare say survival, of the .MOBI! :gl: :imho:

Are there some general, very initial indications / "flashing yellow lights" with respect to the .MOBI, I would say yes. Is there good reason to at least be concerned a bit about some of the important points that Jesse and others bring up regarding the .MOBI/mTLD, again I'd say yes. Should mTLD be addressing these questions and concerns more proactively - particulary here on Namepros™ with a dedicated and very active .MOBI Forum™ ... absolutely they should be! :talk:

Has, or will, a scam be committed ... no, I don't believe so. Time will tell of course, but mTLD needs to address the issues, answer the questions, and become more involved and transparent, in my view - I think YOU folks here deserve that much! :yell:

Just my two humbles.
-Jeff

yep...yep...and yep...Jeff finally said something that makes sense :imho:

just ribbing you dude...

.