The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration signed a permanent agreement
Sept. 30 giving the international global community and the private sector more
control over the Internet's global domain naming system.
This new arrangement brings to an end the series of short-term agreements
between the U.S.
government through the NTIA and ICANN. The agreement allows ICANN to continue
to manage the Internet's DNS while agreeing to a series of review processes to
help ICANN assess and improve its mission and operations.
The deal also commits ICANN to remaining a private not-for-profit organization
and declares ICANN independent and not controlled by any one entity.
International criticism has grown since the birth of ICANN—with a generous
boost by the United States—11
years ago that the United States
has too much control over ICANN.
"We've hit our target after 11 years, and
we're now mature enough to move on to the next phase of our global
development," Rod Beckstrom, chief executive of ICANN, said in a
statement.
The United States,
though, is hardly relinquishing all control over ICANN, which agreed to
establish advisory panels comprising governments and representatives from the
private sector. While the United States
is guaranteed only one seat on the panels, the U.S. Department of
Commerce retains oversight under a separate contract with ICANN.
"This agreement is a perfect example of how a public-private partnership
can work to the advantage of all stakeholders," Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif.,
chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that oversees the Commerce
Department, said in a statement. "It will help ensure that the
Internet remains stable and secure for the people around the world who use it
for work, study, entertainment or to stay in touch with family and
friends."
Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., chairman of the Communications, Technology and the
Internet Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, also praised the
agreement in a statement.
"I am pleased that the NTIA and ICANN have decided to enter into a
permanent agreement that will ensure the transparency and accountability of
ICANN to the benefit of all users of the Internet and that includes periodic
reviews of ICANN performance," said Boucher.
 |
Government IT News & Reviews 
