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'''Elliot Noss''' is an [[Internet]] infrastructure entrepreneur and international Internet governance advocate. He is the CEO of [[Tucows]], the second largest [[Domain name registrar|domain registrar]] in the world, the founder of [[Ting Inc.|Ting Internet]] that partners with municipalities to build and manage publicly-owned fibre networks, and was influential in the formation of [[ICANN]], the international body that governs the domain name space.
'''Elliot Noss''' is an [[Internet]] infrastructure entrepreneur and international Internet governance advocate. He is the CEO of [[Tucows]], the second largest [[Domain name registrar|domain registrar]] in the world, the founder of [[Ting Inc.|Ting Internet]] that partners with municipalities to build and manage publicly-owned fibre networks, the founder of [[Ting Mobile]], and was influential in the formation of [[ICANN]], the international body that governs the domain name space.


=== Early Life and Education ===
=== Early Life and Education ===
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Noss was born in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]] to immigrant parents in 1962. He attended [[University of Toronto Scarborough|University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus]], receiving a BA in Commerce before graduating from [[University of Western Ontario|Western University’s]] [[Ivey Business School|Ivey Business School’s]] joint MBA LLB program.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Elliot Noss – President & CEO, Tucows Inc. & UTSC Graduate |url=https://utsc.utoronto.ca/news-events/archived/elliot-noss-president-ceo-tucows-inc-utsc-graduate |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=University of Toronto Scarborough News |language=en}}</ref> Noss articled at the Canadian law firm [[Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt|Osler, Hoskin, and Harcourt]] before leaving the legal industry to start a remote back-up business in 1994.<ref name=":0" /> After this data backup business failed, Noss joined a local [[Internet service provider|Internet Service Provide]]<nowiki/>r (ISP).<ref name=":0" /> He has worked since then in Internet infrastructure companies, and on issues of Internet freedom and reliability.
Noss was born in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]] to immigrant parents in 1962. He attended [[University of Toronto Scarborough|University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus]], receiving a BA in Commerce before graduating from [[University of Western Ontario|Western University’s]] [[Ivey Business School|Ivey Business School’s]] joint MBA LLB program.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Elliot Noss – President & CEO, Tucows Inc. & UTSC Graduate |url=https://utsc.utoronto.ca/news-events/archived/elliot-noss-president-ceo-tucows-inc-utsc-graduate |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=University of Toronto Scarborough News |language=en}}</ref> Noss articled at the Canadian law firm [[Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt|Osler, Hoskin, and Harcourt]] before leaving the legal industry to start a remote back-up business in 1994.<ref name=":0" /> After this data backup business failed, Noss joined a local [[Internet service provider|Internet Service Provide]]<nowiki/>r (ISP).<ref name=":0" /> He has worked since then in Internet infrastructure companies, and on issues of Internet freedom and reliability.


In 1997, Noss joined Tucows Interactive Inc as Vice President of Corporate Services.<ref name=":0" /> During this time, Tucows was a provider of freeware and shareware; its name is an acronym for “The Ultimate Collection of [[Winsock|Winsock Software]].”<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=In the Arms of a Robot Angel: The Tech That Died in 2021 |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/tech-that-died-in-2021 |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=PCMAG |language=en}}</ref> At the time, Tucows’ library was one of the largest on the Internet.<ref name=":1" /> By 2005, Tucows had gone public, and Noss had become President and CEO of Tucows Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tucows {{!}} News {{!}} Recent Press Releases and Updates. |url=https://www.tucows.com/blog/2005/08/11/tucows-prices-its-public-common-stock-offering/ |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Tucows Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref> During his early tenure, Noss led the firm’s transition from a shareware provider to a [[Wholesaling|wholesale]] domain name registrar. As Noss described in 2021 when Tucows’ shareware download page was finally retired, “a lot has changed since those early years, Tucows has grown and evolved as a business. It’s been a long time since Tucows has been TUCOWS.”<ref name=":1" />
In 1997, Noss joined Tucows Interactive Inc as Vice President of Corporate Services.<ref name=":0" /> During this time, Tucows was a provider of freeware and shareware; its name is an acronym for “The Ultimate Collection of [[Winsock|Winsock Software]].”<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=In the Arms of a Robot Angel: The Tech That Died in 2021 |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/tech-that-died-in-2021 |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=PCMAG |language=en}}</ref> At the time, Tucows’ library was one of the largest on the Internet.<ref name=":1" /> By 2005, Tucows had gone public, and Noss had become President and CEO of Tucows Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tucows {{!}} News {{!}} Recent Press Releases and Updates. |url=https://www.tucows.com/blog/2005/08/11/tucows-prices-its-public-common-stock-offering/ |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Tucows Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref> During his early tenure, Noss led the firm’s transition from a shareware provider to a [[Wholesaling|wholesale]] domain name registrar.<ref name=":1" />


=== Domain Name Governance ===
=== ICANN Participation ===


Noss was a participant in the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers]] (ICANN) process during its early days. ICANN was created by the United States in 1998 ‘to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems,” largely focused on domain names.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BYLAWS FOR INTERNET CORPORATION FOR ASSIGNED NAMES AND NUMBERS {{!}} A California Nonprofit Public-Benefit Corporation - ICANN |url=https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=www.icann.org}}</ref>  Noss, as CEO of an ICANN accredited domain name registrar, pushed the organization to expand the sale of domain names beyond the three generic [[Top-level domain|Top Level Domains]]  ([[Generic top-level domain|gTLDs]] available to the public at that time): [[.com]], [[.net]], and [[.org]]. In January 2006, Noss produced a Proposal to Implement a Permanent gTLD Allocation and Management Process<ref>“Making Choices: Thoughts on Implementing a Permanent GTLD Allocation Process,” ICANN, January 31, 2006, <nowiki>https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/filefield_5838/noss-rader-01feb06.pdf</nowiki>.</ref> in response to ICANN’s Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council call for submissions on the subject of creating new [[Generic top-level domain|gTLDs]]. While ICANN rolled out additional gTLDs Noss was publicly critical of the slow development of [their] new gTLD applicant process.<ref>Elliot Noss, “Tucows Comments on ICANN Applicant Guidebook,” CircleID, May 21, 2011, <nowiki>https://circleid.com/posts/tucows_comments_on_icann_applicant_guidebook/</nowiki>.</ref>  ICANN's [[Generic top-level domain#New%20gTLD%20launches|first agreements]] on gTLDs were signed in July 2013.<ref>“Milestone: First Registry Agreements Executed – Internet Users Will Soon Be Able to Navigate the Web in Their Native Language,” Milestone: First Registry Agreements Executed – Internet Users Will Soon Be Able To Navigate The Web In Their Native Language | ICANN New gTLDs, July 15, 2013, <nowiki>https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-15jul13-en</nowiki>.</ref> Shortly before, in March 2013, Noss signed [[Tucows]] to a partnership with two other domain name registrars, [[Bhavin Turakhia|Directi]] and [[Namecheap|NameCheap]], to manage the .[[.online|online]] [[Domain name registry|Registry]].<ref>“Directi, Tucows and NAMECHEAP Partner to Manage .Online Registry for ICANN's New GTLD Program - Web Hosting: Cloud Computing: Datacenter: Domain News,” March 29, 2013, <nowiki>https://www.dailyhostnews.com/directi-tucows-and-namecheap-partner-to-manage-online-registry-for-icanns-new-gtld-program</nowiki>.</ref>
Noss was a participant in the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers]] (ICANN) process during its early days. ICANN was created by the United States in 1998 ‘to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems,” largely focused on domain names.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BYLAWS FOR INTERNET CORPORATION FOR ASSIGNED NAMES AND NUMBERS {{!}} A California Nonprofit Public-Benefit Corporation - ICANN |url=https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=www.icann.org}}</ref>  In January 2006, in response to ICANN’s Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council call for submissions on the topic of creating new [[Generic top-level domain|Generic Top-Level Domains]] (gTLDs) beyond [[.com]], [[.net]], and [[.org]], Noss, as CEO of an ICANN accredited domain name registrar,  introduced a "Proposal to Implement a Permanent gTLD [generic Top-Level Domain] Allocation and Management Process<ref>“Making Choices: Thoughts on Implementing a Permanent GTLD Allocation Process,” ICANN, January 31, 2006, <nowiki>https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/filefield_5838/noss-rader-01feb06.pdf</nowiki>.</ref>."   ICANN's [[Generic top-level domain#New%20gTLD%20launches|first agreements]] on new gTLDs were signed in July 2013.<ref>“Milestone: First Registry Agreements Executed – Internet Users Will Soon Be Able to Navigate the Web in Their Native Language,” Milestone: First Registry Agreements Executed – Internet Users Will Soon Be Able To Navigate The Web In Their Native Language | ICANN New gTLDs, July 15, 2013, <nowiki>https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-15jul13-en</nowiki>.</ref> Shortly before, in March 2013, Noss signed [[Tucows]] to a partnership with two other domain name registrars, [[Bhavin Turakhia|Directi]] and [[Namecheap|NameCheap]], to manage the new .[[.online|online]] [[Domain name registry|Registry]].<ref>“Directi, Tucows and NAMECHEAP Partner to Manage .Online Registry for ICANN's New GTLD Program - Web Hosting: Cloud Computing: Datacenter: Domain News,” March 29, 2013, <nowiki>https://www.dailyhostnews.com/directi-tucows-and-namecheap-partner-to-manage-online-registry-for-icanns-new-gtld-program</nowiki>.</ref>


The advent of the [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR) in [[Europe]] created new challenges for domain name providers such as Tucows when it came to the publishing of domain name registration data (typically accessed through the service [[WHOIS]]). Domain name registrars were required to undergo an extensive redesign of their registration processes, with revisions to the data they collect or share, and how they collect and maintain user consent. When ICANN, in response to the GDPR, passed a Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data,<ref>“Temporary Specification for Gtld Registration Data,” ICANN, May 2018, <nowiki>https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/gtld-registration-data-specs-en</nowiki>.</ref> shifting the requirements of domain registrars, Noss questioned the new specification’s sufficiency to meet GDPR standards in letters to ICANN CEO Goran Marby.<ref>Elliot Noss, “Letter to Göran Marby,” ICANN, June 7, 2018, <nowiki>https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/noss-to-marby-07jun18-en.pdf</nowiki>.</ref> Noss’s letters led to an arrangement wherein ICANN worked to test the new procedure in European court by issuing an injunctive proceeding against Tucows German property EPAG.<ref>Göran Marby, “Response Letter to Elliot Noss,” ICANN, September 4, 2018, <nowiki>https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/marby-to-noss-04sep18-en.pdf</nowiki>.</ref> Later that year, during ICANN’s 63rd meeting, Noss led the ICANN-accredited domain registrars in voicing strong opposition<ref>Trevor Little, “Battle Lines Drawn, Skirmishes Commence: ICANN Community Debates Future of Whois Access,” World Trademark Review, accessed August 22, 2022, <nowiki>https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/battle-lines-drawn-skirmishes-commence-icann-community-looks-future-of-whois-access</nowiki>.</ref><ref>Elliot Noss, “Letter to ICANN, Third Party Request to Registrant Data,” ICANN October 21, 2018, </ref> to claims brought by [[Facebook]] partner [https://www.appdetex.com/ AppDetex] that domain registrars have not been responding to WHOIS information requests following the Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data.<ref>Adam Houldsworth, “Facebook's Whois Access Woes, DPMA's IP Workshop for Refugees, and Santa-Cruz Leaves INAPI: News Round-Up,” World Trademark Review, October 19, 2018, <nowiki>https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/facebooks-whois-access-woes-german-ipos-ip-workshop-refugees-and-santa-cruz-leaves-inapi-news-round</nowiki>.</ref>
In 2018, When ICANN responded to the [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR) in [[Europe]] with the Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data <ref>“Temporary Specification for Gtld Registration Data,” ICANN, May 2018, <nowiki>https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/gtld-registration-data-specs-en</nowiki>.</ref> that added new responsibilities to domain registrars, Noss questioned the new specification’s sufficiency to meet GDPR standards.<ref>Elliot Noss, “Letter to Göran Marby,” ICANN, June 7, 2018, <nowiki>https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/noss-to-marby-07jun18-en.pdf</nowiki>.</ref> Noss’s letters led to ICANN testing the new procedure in European court by issuing an injunctive proceeding against Tucows German property EPAG.<ref>Göran Marby, “Response Letter to Elliot Noss,” ICANN, September 4, 2018, <nowiki>https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/marby-to-noss-04sep18-en.pdf</nowiki>.</ref> Later that year, during ICANN’s 63rd meeting, Noss led the ICANN-accredited domain registrars in voicing strong opposition<ref>Trevor Little, “Battle Lines Drawn, Skirmishes Commence: ICANN Community Debates Future of Whois Access,” World Trademark Review, accessed August 22, 2022, <nowiki>https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/battle-lines-drawn-skirmishes-commence-icann-community-looks-future-of-whois-access</nowiki>.</ref><ref>Elliot Noss, “Letter to ICANN, Third Party Request to Registrant Data,” ICANN October 21, 2018, </ref> to claims brought by [[Facebook]] partner [https://www.appdetex.com/ AppDetex] that domain registrars have not been responding to [[WHOIS]] information requests following the Temporary Specification.<ref>Adam Houldsworth, “Facebook's Whois Access Woes, DPMA's IP Workshop for Refugees, and Santa-Cruz Leaves INAPI: News Round-Up,” World Trademark Review, October 19, 2018, <nowiki>https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/facebooks-whois-access-woes-german-ipos-ip-workshop-refugees-and-santa-cruz-leaves-inapi-news-round</nowiki>.</ref>


More recently, Noss has been influencing ICANN to do more to fight cyber crime.<ref name=":2">Howard Solomon, “Add Fighting Cyber Crime to ICANN's Work, Urges Canadian Internet Leader: It World Canada News,” IT World Canada , May 29, 2021, <nowiki>https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/add-fighting-cyber-crime-to-icanns-work-urges-canadian-internet-leader/415482</nowiki>.</ref> In 2016, ICANN shifted from being a non-profit controlled by the [[US Commerce Department]] to being completely independent.<ref name=":2" /> As a member of many ICANN working groups, Noss contended this change enabled ICANN to be more involved in fighting cyber crime.<ref name=":2" /> During his Keynote to the Canadian Internet Governance Forum, Noss stated how it is “frustrating … to know who the criminals are and be able to do nothing about it.”<ref name=":2" /> Noss argued that it is challenging to hold criminals accountable because there are no international agreements to fight cyber crime.<ref name=":2" /> Noss contends that ICANN’s multi-stakeholder structure, coupled with police presence from forces like the RCMP, FBI, and Interpol at ICANN meetings, empower it to be a great venue to collaborate on the fight against cyber crime.<ref name=":2" />
Since 2021, Noss has been arguing that ICANN's shift in 2016 from being a non-profit controlled by the [[US Commerce Department]] to being completely independent<ref name=":2">Howard Solomon, “Add Fighting Cyber Crime to ICANN's Work, Urges Canadian Internet Leader: It World Canada News,” IT World Canada , May 29, 2021, <nowiki>https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/add-fighting-cyber-crime-to-icanns-work-urges-canadian-internet-leader/415482</nowiki>.</ref> is an opportunity for ICANN to be more involved in fighting cyber crime.<ref name=":2" /> During his Keynote to the Canadian Internet Governance Forum, Noss argued that it is challenging to hold malefactors accountable because there are no international agreements to fight cyber crime.<ref name=":2" /> Noss contends that ICANN’s multi-stakeholder structure, coupled with the presence at ICANN meetings of law enforcement agencies forces such as the RCMP, FBI, and Interpol, could make it a unique venue for collaborating on the fight against cyber crime.<ref name=":2" />


=== Mobile Virtual Network Operators and Canadian Telecom ===
=== Mobile Virtual Network Operators and Canadian Telecom ===


While Tucows was originally a wholesale domain name registrar, in February of 2012, [[Ting Mobile|the firm expanded into mobile services]].<ref name=":3">Tucows Inc., “Tucows Launches Ting - a New US Mobile Phone Service,” Tucows Launches Ting - A New US Mobile Phone Service, February 2, 2012, <nowiki>https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tucows-launches-ting---a-new-us-mobile-phone-service-138555314.html</nowiki>.</ref> In part, Noss championed this move to address his belief that the mobile services market was “too complicated, too opaque, too adversarial, and frankly too inhuman.”<ref name=":3" />  
While Tucows was originally a wholesale domain name registrar, in February of 2012, [[Ting Mobile|the firm expanded into mobile services]] with the founding of Ting Mobile.<ref name=":3">Tucows Inc., “Tucows Launches Ting - a New US Mobile Phone Service,” Tucows Launches Ting - A New US Mobile Phone Service, February 2, 2012, <nowiki>https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tucows-launches-ting---a-new-us-mobile-phone-service-138555314.html</nowiki>.</ref> In part, Noss championed this move to address his belief that the mobile services market was “too complicated, too opaque, too adversarial, and frankly too inhuman.”<ref name=":3" />


Noss was invited to testify during the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission’s]] (CRTC) Review of wholesale mobile wireless services in 2014.<ref>Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Government of Canada, “Archived - Letter,” CRTC, June 9, 2014, <nowiki>https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2014/lt140609e.htm</nowiki>.</ref>  During his testimony, Noss advocated for increased competition in the Canadian mobile services market, expressing that “there is virtually no competition at the level of the network, there is certainly no competition at the level of price… 92,000 Canadians a week are so unhappy with their service that they are going to change to someone else knowing it will be identical just because the previous [provider] is the one who upset them so much and they have no other recourse.”<ref>TheOpenMedia, “Noss Noss Presents to the CRTC,” YouTube (YouTube, October 23, 2014), <nowiki>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAKfd5oS8Lg</nowiki>.</ref>
During testimony to the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission’s]] (CRTC) Review of wholesale mobile wireless services in 2014,<ref>Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Government of Canada, “Archived - Letter,” CRTC, June 9, 2014, <nowiki>https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2014/lt140609e.htm</nowiki>.</ref>  Noss advocated for increased competition in the Canadian mobile services market. In June of 2017, the CRTC ruled otherwise, saying that [https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sugar-mobile-rogers-telus-bell-cellphone-crtc-1.4004569 Rogers could block customers of the MVNO Sugar Mobile] from roaming the Rogers network.<ref>“CRTC Backs Rogers and Shuts down Upstart Mobile Operator | CBC News,” CBCnews (CBC, March 1, 2017), <nowiki>https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sugar-mobile-rogers-telus-bell-cellphone-crtc-1.4004569</nowiki>.</ref>


⚫
In February 2020, Noss was invited back to the CRTC’s Review of Mobile Services to address whether further action was needed to improve choice and affordability for Canadians.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=CPAC - For the Record |url=https://www.cpac.ca/episode?id=01140742-9b74-47fc-ac43-98bc080e95be. |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=www.cpac.ca}}</ref> Noss again argued that MVNOs would have a dramatically positive impact on service provision in the country. He criticized [[Bell Canada|Bell's]] claims that they “compete on the basis of speed and coverage,” saying it would be better “if they competed on the basis of price and service?”<ref name=":4" />
Despite his testimony, in June of 2017, the CRTC ruled that [https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sugar-mobile-rogers-telus-bell-cellphone-crtc-1.4004569 Rogers could block customers of Sugar Mobile] from roaming on their network.<ref>“CRTC Backs Rogers and Shuts down Upstart Mobile Operator | CBC News,” CBCnews (CBC, March 1, 2017), <nowiki>https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sugar-mobile-rogers-telus-bell-cellphone-crtc-1.4004569</nowiki>.</ref> In so doing, the CRTC effectively hamstrung the new Ting and other [[Mobile virtual network operator|MVNOs]]. Eventually, [[Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry|Minister of Innovation]] [[Navdeep Bains]] ordered a review of the decision because of its potential impact on competition.<ref>Terry Pedwell, “Innovation Minister Orders CRTC to Revisit Wireless Network Access Decision,” CTVNews (CTV News, June 5, 2017), <nowiki>https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/innovation-minister-orders-crtc-to-revisit-wireless-network-access-decision-1.3444741?cache=yes%3FclipId%3D104059</nowiki>.</ref> Ultimately, the CRTC stood by its original decision to limit MVNOs ability to enter the Canadian market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) |date=2021-04-15 |title=Review of mobile wireless services |url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2021/2021-130.htm |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=crtc.gc.ca}}</ref>

⚫
Almost six years later on February 19th 2020, Noss was invited back to the CRTC’s Review of Mobile Services on the topic of whether further action was needed to improve choice and affordability for Canadians.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=CPAC - For the Record |url=https://www.cpac.ca/episode?id=01140742-9b74-47fc-ac43-98bc080e95be. |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=www.cpac.ca}}</ref> In his testimony, Noss again argued that MVNOs would have a dramatically positive impact on service provision in the country. He criticized [[Bell Canada|Bell's]] claims that they “compete on the basis of speed and coverage,” arguing “wouldn’t it be great for all of us, if they competed [instead] on the basis of price and service?”<ref name=":4" />

When asked by the [[Toronto Star]] about the recent takeover of [[Shaw Communications|Shaw]] by [[Rogers Communications|Rogers]], Noss explained that “the deep need for an MVNO program with regulated wholesale pricing” is still huge and the Shaw acquisition “only increases” this need by “eliminating another challenger brand. Canadians pay the most expensive mobile phone rates in the world…Only the CRTC can fix this.”<ref>Christine Dobby, “Will the CRTC Loosen the Big Three's Hold on Cellphone Networks? with Rogers about to Acquire Freedom Mobile, Its Ruling Is Eagerly Awaited,” thestar.com (Toronto Star, March 17, 2021), <nowiki>https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/03/17/will-the-crtc-loosen-the-big-threes-hold-on-cellphone-networks-with-rogers-about-to-acquire-freedom-mobile-its-ruling-is-eagerly-awaited.html</nowiki>.</ref>


Tucows sold the MVNO Ting brand to [[Dish Network Corporation]] in the summer of 2020.<ref>Linda Hardesty, “Dish Names Ting Mobile Leader, Launches New Postpaid Plans,” Fierce Wireless, November 18, 2020, <nowiki>https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/dish-names-ting-mobile-leader-launches-new-postpaid-plans</nowiki>.</ref>
Tucows sold the MVNO Ting brand to [[Dish Network Corporation]] in the summer of 2020.<ref>Linda Hardesty, “Dish Names Ting Mobile Leader, Launches New Postpaid Plans,” Fierce Wireless, November 18, 2020, <nowiki>https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/dish-names-ting-mobile-leader-launches-new-postpaid-plans</nowiki>.</ref>
⚫
=== Fiber Internet ===


⚫
Seeing the success of Ting’s mobile brand in the US, Elliot decided to expand Tucows’ operations into the nascent [[Fiber-optic communication|fiber internet]] market, launching a new line of business.<ref name=":5">Andrew Moore-Crispin, “Hey, Remember That Time You Asked Us to Fix Home Internet Access Too?,” Ting Blog, December 16, 2014, <nowiki>https://blog.ting.com/internet/hey-remember-that-time-you-asked-us-to-fix-home-internet-access-too</nowiki>.</ref> Fibe internet uses [[Fiber-optic cable|fiber optic cables]] to send light signals carrying data to and from a computer.<ref name=":5" /> Fiber is substantially more reliable and faster than traditional [[Digital subscriber line|DSL]] and [[Cable Internet access|cable internet]].<ref name=":5" />

⚫
=== Fibre Internet ===

⚫
Seeing the success of Ting’s mobile brand in the US, Elliot decided to expand Tucows’ operations into the nascent [[Fibre Internet|Fibre internet]] market, launching a new line of business.<ref name=":5">Andrew Moore-Crispin, “Hey, Remember That Time You Asked Us to Fix Home Internet Access Too?,” Ting Blog, December 16, 2014, <nowiki>https://blog.ting.com/internet/hey-remember-that-time-you-asked-us-to-fix-home-internet-access-too</nowiki>.</ref> Fibre internet uses [[Fiber-optic cable|fibre optic cables]] to send light signals carrying data to and from a computer.<ref name=":5" /> Fibre is substantially more reliable and faster than traditional [[Digital subscriber line|DSL]] and [[Cable Internet access|cable internet]].<ref name=":5" />


Ting Internet’s first ‘Ting Town’ was [[Charlottesville, Virginia|Charlottesville, VA]], launching December of 2014.<ref name=":5" />  Since then, Ting has expanded into many other markets, including [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria VA]], [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs CO]], [[Dover, Idaho|Dover ID]], [[Holly Springs, North Carolina|Holly Springs NC]], and [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson AZ]]. <ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-01-07 |title=Ting Internet to become initial anchor tenant on Colorado Springs Utilities' city-wide fiber network |language=en |work=Financial Post |url=https://financialpost.com/globe-newswire/ting-internet-to-become-initial-anchor-tenant-on-colorado-springs-utilities-city-wide-fiber-network |access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>
Ting Internet’s first ‘Ting Town’ was [[Charlottesville, Virginia|Charlottesville, VA]], launching December of 2014.<ref name=":5" />  Since then, Ting has expanded into other markets, including [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria VA]], [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs CO]], [[Dover, Idaho|Dover ID]], [[Holly Springs, North Carolina|Holly Springs NC]], and [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson AZ]]. <ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-01-07 |title=Ting Internet to become initial anchor tenant on Colorado Springs Utilities' city-wide fiber network |language=en |work=Financial Post |url=https://financialpost.com/globe-newswire/ting-internet-to-become-initial-anchor-tenant-on-colorado-springs-utilities-city-wide-fiber-network |access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>


=== Controversy ===
=== Controversy ===
Line 60: Line 53:
Noss, a father of two grown children, lives in Toronto with his partner and two dogs. Noss is a student of [[Yin Yoga]] and an active golfer.
Noss, a father of two grown children, lives in Toronto with his partner and two dogs. Noss is a student of [[Yin Yoga]] and an active golfer.


Noss has been an avid gamer since his youth. In 2010, he was interviewed by Forbes about how his experiences in [[World of Warcraft]] have helped him to be a more effective executive.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Chiang |first=Oliver |title=How Playing Videogames Can Boost Your Career |url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/07/19/career-leadership-strategy-technology-videogames.html |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Noss said, "You have these events [in WOW] that are very leadership-driven… for example, when you're in a raid that's poorly led, it's really easy to see how valuable skills like managing the social dynamic, making sure there was the right level of preparation and making sure that there was a clear hierarchy in terms of who is performing what roles."<ref name=":7" /> Noss stated in the interview that he has set up frameworks within Tucows directly based on successful ones used in WOW. Due to Noss’ interest in gaming, Tucows has [https://liquipedia.net/starcraft2/Ting sponsored] professional [[esports]] players, such as the #1 US ranked [[StarCraft]] player, Neeb, as well as tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ting |url=https://liquipedia.net/starcraft2/Ting |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Liquipedia StarCraft 2 Wiki |language=en}}</ref>
Noss has been an avid gamer since his youth, and has claimed that his experiences in [[World of Warcraft]] have helped him to be a more effective executive.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Chiang |first=Oliver |title=How Playing Videogames Can Boost Your Career |url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/07/19/career-leadership-strategy-technology-videogames.html |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Due to Noss’ interest in gaming, Tucows has [https://liquipedia.net/starcraft2/Ting sponsored] professional [[esports]] players, such as the #1 US ranked [[StarCraft]] player, Neeb, as well as tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ting |url=https://liquipedia.net/starcraft2/Ting |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Liquipedia StarCraft 2 Wiki |language=en}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 22:18, 13 September 2022

  • Comment: Needs to have external web links changed to wikilinks. Gusfriend (talk) 07:14, 11 September 2022 (UTC)
Noss at conference
Elliot Noss at ICANN Conference


Elliot Noss is an Internet infrastructure entrepreneur and international Internet governance advocate. He is the CEO of Tucows, the second largest domain registrar in the world, the founder of Ting Internet that partners with municipalities to build and manage publicly-owned fibre networks, the founder of Ting Mobile, and was influential in the formation of ICANN, the international body that governs the domain name space.

Early Life and Education

Noss was born in Toronto, Canada to immigrant parents in 1962. He attended University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus, receiving a BA in Commerce before graduating from Western University’s Ivey Business School’s joint MBA LLB program.[1] Noss articled at the Canadian law firm Osler, Hoskin, and Harcourt before leaving the legal industry to start a remote back-up business in 1994.[1] After this data backup business failed, Noss joined a local Internet Service Provider (ISP).[1] He has worked since then in Internet infrastructure companies, and on issues of Internet freedom and reliability.

In 1997, Noss joined Tucows Interactive Inc as Vice President of Corporate Services.[1] During this time, Tucows was a provider of freeware and shareware; its name is an acronym for “The Ultimate Collection of Winsock Software.”[2] At the time, Tucows’ library was one of the largest on the Internet.[2] By 2005, Tucows had gone public, and Noss had become President and CEO of Tucows Inc.[3] During his early tenure, Noss led the firm’s transition from a shareware provider to a wholesale domain name registrar.[2]

ICANN Participation

Noss was a participant in the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) process during its early days. ICANN was created by the United States in 1998 ‘to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems,” largely focused on domain names.[4]  In January 2006, in response to ICANN’s Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council call for submissions on the topic of creating new Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) beyond .com, .net, and .org, Noss, as CEO of an ICANN accredited domain name registrar,  introduced a "Proposal to Implement a Permanent gTLD [generic Top-Level Domain] Allocation and Management Process[5]."   ICANN's first agreements on new gTLDs were signed in July 2013.[6] Shortly before, in March 2013, Noss signed Tucows to a partnership with two other domain name registrars, Directi and NameCheap, to manage the new .online Registry.[7]

In 2018, When ICANN responded to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe with the Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data [8] that added new responsibilities to domain registrars, Noss questioned the new specification’s sufficiency to meet GDPR standards.[9] Noss’s letters led to ICANN testing the new procedure in European court by issuing an injunctive proceeding against Tucows German property EPAG.[10] Later that year, during ICANN’s 63rd meeting, Noss led the ICANN-accredited domain registrars in voicing strong opposition[11][12] to claims brought by Facebook partner AppDetex that domain registrars have not been responding to WHOIS information requests following the Temporary Specification.[13]

Since 2021, Noss has been arguing that ICANN's shift in 2016 from being a non-profit controlled by the US Commerce Department to being completely independent[14] is an opportunity for ICANN to be more involved in fighting cyber crime.[14] During his Keynote to the Canadian Internet Governance Forum, Noss argued that it is challenging to hold malefactors accountable because there are no international agreements to fight cyber crime.[14] Noss contends that ICANN’s multi-stakeholder structure, coupled with the presence at ICANN meetings of law enforcement agencies forces such as the RCMP, FBI, and Interpol, could make it a unique venue for collaborating on the fight against cyber crime.[14]

Mobile Virtual Network Operators and Canadian Telecom

While Tucows was originally a wholesale domain name registrar, in February of 2012, the firm expanded into mobile services with the founding of Ting Mobile.[15] In part, Noss championed this move to address his belief that the mobile services market was “too complicated, too opaque, too adversarial, and frankly too inhuman.”[15]

During testimony to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) Review of wholesale mobile wireless services in 2014,[16]  Noss advocated for increased competition in the Canadian mobile services market. In June of 2017, the CRTC ruled otherwise, saying that Rogers could block customers of the MVNO Sugar Mobile from roaming the Rogers network.[17]

In February 2020, Noss was invited back to the CRTC’s Review of Mobile Services to address whether further action was needed to improve choice and affordability for Canadians.[18] Noss again argued that MVNOs would have a dramatically positive impact on service provision in the country. He criticized Bell's claims that they “compete on the basis of speed and coverage,” saying it would be better “if they competed on the basis of price and service?”[18]

Tucows sold the MVNO Ting brand to Dish Network Corporation in the summer of 2020.[19]

Fiber Internet

Seeing the success of Ting’s mobile brand in the US, Elliot decided to expand Tucows’ operations into the nascent fiber internet market, launching a new line of business.[20] Fibe internet uses fiber optic cables to send light signals carrying data to and from a computer.[20] Fiber is substantially more reliable and faster than traditional DSL and cable internet.[20]

Ting Internet’s first ‘Ting Town’ was Charlottesville, VA, launching December of 2014.[20]  Since then, Ting has expanded into other markets, including Alexandria VA, Colorado Springs CO, Dover ID, Holly Springs NC, and Tucson AZ. [21]

Controversy

In 2019, while Noss was CEO of Tucows, a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas left over 22 people dead.[22] The shooter’s manifesto was shared on 8chan, a site hosted indirectly through Tucows wholesale registrar services.[23] The site was eventually taken down by Tucows.[23] However, after a few months, its successor web address, 8kun, was registered with Tucows through a Russian hosting provider.[24]

In 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Noss sent a letter to Tucows’ bankers and lawyers asking them to take a look at and re-evaluate any work they do with people connected to the Russian regime.[25]

Personal Life

Noss, a father of two grown children, lives in Toronto with his partner and two dogs. Noss is a student of Yin Yoga and an active golfer.

Noss has been an avid gamer since his youth, and has claimed that his experiences in World of Warcraft have helped him to be a more effective executive.[26] Due to Noss’ interest in gaming, Tucows has sponsored professional esports players, such as the #1 US ranked StarCraft player, Neeb, as well as tournaments.[27]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Elliot Noss – President & CEO, Tucows Inc. & UTSC Graduate". University of Toronto Scarborough News. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  2. ^ a b c "In the Arms of a Robot Angel: The Tech That Died in 2021". PCMAG. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  3. ^ "Tucows | News | Recent Press Releases and Updates". Tucows Inc. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  4. ^ "BYLAWS FOR INTERNET CORPORATION FOR ASSIGNED NAMES AND NUMBERS | A California Nonprofit Public-Benefit Corporation - ICANN". www.icann.org. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  5. ^ “Making Choices: Thoughts on Implementing a Permanent GTLD Allocation Process,” ICANN, January 31, 2006, https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/filefield_5838/noss-rader-01feb06.pdf.
  6. ^ “Milestone: First Registry Agreements Executed – Internet Users Will Soon Be Able to Navigate the Web in Their Native Language,” Milestone: First Registry Agreements Executed – Internet Users Will Soon Be Able To Navigate The Web In Their Native Language | ICANN New gTLDs, July 15, 2013, https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-15jul13-en.
  7. ^ “Directi, Tucows and NAMECHEAP Partner to Manage .Online Registry for ICANN's New GTLD Program - Web Hosting: Cloud Computing: Datacenter: Domain News,” March 29, 2013, https://www.dailyhostnews.com/directi-tucows-and-namecheap-partner-to-manage-online-registry-for-icanns-new-gtld-program.
  8. ^ “Temporary Specification for Gtld Registration Data,” ICANN, May 2018, https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/gtld-registration-data-specs-en.
  9. ^ Elliot Noss, “Letter to Göran Marby,” ICANN, June 7, 2018, https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/noss-to-marby-07jun18-en.pdf.
  10. ^ Göran Marby, “Response Letter to Elliot Noss,” ICANN, September 4, 2018, https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/marby-to-noss-04sep18-en.pdf.
  11. ^ Trevor Little, “Battle Lines Drawn, Skirmishes Commence: ICANN Community Debates Future of Whois Access,” World Trademark Review, accessed August 22, 2022, https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/battle-lines-drawn-skirmishes-commence-icann-community-looks-future-of-whois-access.
  12. ^ Elliot Noss, “Letter to ICANN, Third Party Request to Registrant Data,” ICANN October 21, 2018,
  13. ^ Adam Houldsworth, “Facebook's Whois Access Woes, DPMA's IP Workshop for Refugees, and Santa-Cruz Leaves INAPI: News Round-Up,” World Trademark Review, October 19, 2018, https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/facebooks-whois-access-woes-german-ipos-ip-workshop-refugees-and-santa-cruz-leaves-inapi-news-round.
  14. ^ a b c d Howard Solomon, “Add Fighting Cyber Crime to ICANN's Work, Urges Canadian Internet Leader: It World Canada News,” IT World Canada , May 29, 2021, https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/add-fighting-cyber-crime-to-icanns-work-urges-canadian-internet-leader/415482.
  15. ^ a b Tucows Inc., “Tucows Launches Ting - a New US Mobile Phone Service,” Tucows Launches Ting - A New US Mobile Phone Service, February 2, 2012, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tucows-launches-ting---a-new-us-mobile-phone-service-138555314.html.
  16. ^ Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Government of Canada, “Archived - Letter,” CRTC, June 9, 2014, https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2014/lt140609e.htm.
  17. ^ “CRTC Backs Rogers and Shuts down Upstart Mobile Operator | CBC News,” CBCnews (CBC, March 1, 2017), https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sugar-mobile-rogers-telus-bell-cellphone-crtc-1.4004569.
  18. ^ a b "CPAC - For the Record". www.cpac.ca. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  19. ^ Linda Hardesty, “Dish Names Ting Mobile Leader, Launches New Postpaid Plans,” Fierce Wireless, November 18, 2020, https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/dish-names-ting-mobile-leader-launches-new-postpaid-plans.
  20. ^ a b c d Andrew Moore-Crispin, “Hey, Remember That Time You Asked Us to Fix Home Internet Access Too?,” Ting Blog, December 16, 2014, https://blog.ting.com/internet/hey-remember-that-time-you-asked-us-to-fix-home-internet-access-too.
  21. ^ "Ting Internet to become initial anchor tenant on Colorado Springs Utilities' city-wide fiber network". Financial Post. 2022-01-07. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  22. ^ Sandler, Rachel. "2 Mass Shootings Leave At Least 29 Dead In Under 24 Hours; Suspects Identified". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  23. ^ a b Togoh, Isabel. "Tucows Drops 8chan Domain Registration After El Paso Shooting". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  24. ^ Conger, Kate (2019-11-04). "It's Back: 8chan Returns Online". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  25. ^ Andrew Allemann, “How the Domain Ecosystem Is Responding to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine - Domain Name Wire: Domain Name News,” Domain Name Wire | Domain Name News, March 2, 2022, https://domainnamewire.com/2022/03/02/how-the-domain-ecosystem-is-responding-to-russias-invasion-of-ukraine/.
  26. ^ Chiang, Oliver. "How Playing Videogames Can Boost Your Career". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  27. ^ "Ting". Liquipedia StarCraft 2 Wiki. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
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