NTIA Seeks Comments On Letting Go Of Internet Control

The United States National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has published a notice of inquiry regarding the expiration of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between the agency and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which oversees technical aspects of the internet domain name system. The 2003 JPA that followed an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expires on 30 September. Comments are invited on a set of questions, including ending the US government’s oversight role of ICANN. NTIA, part of the US Commerce Department, considers key elements of a full hand-off to be the continued stability and security of the internet.

“Has sufficient progress been achieved for the transition to take place by September 30, 2009?” NTIA asks. Several questions relate to ICANN’s performance with regard to its tasks as domain name system (DNS) management body and with regard to ICANN’s organisational structure including safeguards against capture. For years the privileged role of the US administration with regard to the oversight on ICANN has led to international discussions, and resulted in the creation of the United Nations-led Internet Governance Forum and debates about “enhanced cooperation.”

The current notice of inquiry also asks the fundamental question whether people still believe that private-sector-led management of the DNS is still the right model for the administration of the DNS.

Statements must be filed before 8 June. Notice available here [pdf].