Proposed resolution:

[locale.syn]

Strike the explicit specialization for ctype_byname<char> from the <locale> synopsis

...
template <class charT> class ctype_byname;
template <>            class ctype_byname<char>;  // specialization
...

[ 2010-01-31 Moved to Tentatively Ready after 5 positive votes on c++std-lib. ]

The <locale> synopsis in [locale.syn] calls out an explicit specialization for ctype_byname<char>, however no such specialization is defined in the standard. The only reference I can find to ctype_byname<char> is [locale.facet]:Table 77 — Required specializations (for facets) which also refers to ctype_byname<wchar_t> which has no special consideration.

Is the intent an explicit instantiation which would use a slightly different syntax? Should the explicit specialization simply be struck?