[discuss] [governance] Re: U.S. to Give Up Oversight of Web Policymaking Body

Sat Mar 15 03:07:17 UTC 2014

this is broadly along the lines of my submission to Brazil a few weeks ago, developed with a lot of people from all stakeholder groups contributing. (not that USG did is because of our submission; this step was reasonably predictable)

http://content.netmundial.br/contribution/roadmap-for-internalisation-of-the-former-iana-functions-under-a-multistakeholder-governance-model-involving-icann-and-associated-technical-organisations/105

The keys now will be a process that will come up with a solution by September 2015 broadly acceptable to major stakeholders (including USG).  One would hope the process examines suggestions such as those put forward by Avri and Milton. I note that inter-governmental processes have already been ruled out by USG. So if we want any advances by September 2015 or in the forseeable future we can forget about that – it won’t be accepted.

My main concern now is adoption of a reasonable process and timeframe to get to a solution. ICANN doesn’t actually operate at Internet speed, nor do most technical organisations. So without a timetable and a good process, not much will happen before September 2015 and an opportunity might be lost.

My submission suggested a first draft by September 2014, for discussion at IGF. And, in order to achieve that, use of outside consultants. I believe a clear timetable now needs to be developed to have a final proposal acceptable to major stakeholders by September 2015. Perfectly do-able, but wont happen without a good process and commitment to a timeframe. Nor will it happen without consultation with groups outside of ICANN. Brazil meeting should  at least try to outline such a high level timetable.

Ian Peter

From: Suresh Ramasubramanian 
Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2014 11:54 AM
To: governance at lists.igcaucus.org ; Sivasubramanian M 
Cc: Shatan, Gregory S. ; John Curran ; 1Net List 
Subject: Re: [governance] Re: [discuss] U.S. to Give Up Oversight of Web Policymaking Body

This is an expected though long delayed move. That oversight was supposed to be temporary for the past 15 years at least.

--srs (iPad)

On 15-Mar-2014, at 4:24, Sivasubramanian M <isolatedn at gmail.com> wrote:

  Hello

  Great News. "From the inception of ICANN, the U.S. Government and Internet stakeholders envisioned that the U.S. role in the IANA functions would be temporary."  Yet there has been so much of politicization about the continuing oversight, but this positive step by US Government now dissolves all doubt. 

  The press release acknowledges that "ICANN as an organization has matured and taken steps in recent years to improve its accountability and transparency and its technical competence.". This is true enough for ICANN to assume independent charge right away. Further improvements could be recommended by the stakeholders in the Transition report to emerge, to continue improvements to the Accountability and Transparency mechanism during and after transition.

  Sivasubramanian M

  On Sat, Mar 15, 2014 at 3:29 AM, Shatan, Gregory S. <GShatan at reedsmith.com> wrote:

    Here's the text:

    NTIA Announces Intent to Transition Key Internet Domain Name Functions

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    March 14, 2014

    News Media Contact:

    NTIA, Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-7002, press at ntia.doc.gov

    WASHINGTON – To support and enhance the multistakeholder model of Internet policymaking and governance, the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announces its intent to transition key Internet domain name functions to the global multistakeholder community.  As the first step, NTIA is asking the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to convene global stakeholders to develop a proposal to transition the current role played by NTIA in the coordination of the Internet’s domain name system (DNS).

    NTIA’s responsibility includes the procedural role of administering changes to the authoritative root zone file – the database containing the lists of names and addresses of all top-level domains – as well as serving as the historic steward of the DNS.  NTIA currently contracts with ICANN to carry out the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions and has a Cooperative Agreement with Verisign under which it performs related root zone management functions.  Transitioning NTIA out of its role marks the final phase of the privatization of the DNS as outlined by the U.S. Government in 1997.

    “The timing is right to start the transition process,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Lawrence E. Strickling.  “We look forward to ICANN convening stakeholders across the global Internet community to craft an appropriate transition plan.”

    ICANN is uniquely positioned, as both the current IANA functions contractor and the global coordinator for the DNS, as the appropriate party to convene the multistakeholder process to develop the transition plan.  NTIA has informed ICANN that it expects that in the development of the proposal, ICANN will work collaboratively with the directly affected parties, including the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), the Internet Society (ISOC), the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), top level domain name operators, VeriSign, and other interested global stakeholders.

    NTIA has communicated to ICANN that the transition proposal must have broad community support and address the following four principles:
    Support and enhance the multistakeholder model;
    Maintain the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet DNS;
    Meet the needs and expectation of the global customers and partners of the IANA services; and,
    Maintain the openness of the Internet.

    Consistent with the clear policy expressed in bipartisan resolutions of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (S.Con.Res.50 and H.Con.Res.127), which affirmed the United States support for the multistakeholder model of Internet governance, NTIA will not accept a proposal that replaces the NTIA role with a government-led or an inter-governmental organization solution.

    From the inception of ICANN, the U.S. Government and Internet stakeholders envisioned that the U.S. role in the IANA functions would be temporary.  The Commerce Department’s June 10, 1998 Statement of Policy stated that the U.S. Government “is committed to a transition that will allow the private sector to take leadership for DNS management.”  ICANN as an organization has matured and taken steps in recent years to improve its accountability and transparency and its technical competence.  At the same time, international support continues to grow for the multistakeholder model of Internet governance as evidenced by the continued success of the Internet Governance Forum and the resilient stewardship of the various Internet institutions.

    While stakeholders work through the ICANN-convened process to develop a transition proposal, NTIA’s current role will remain unchanged.  The current IANA functions contract expires September 30, 2015.

    For further information see: IANA Functions and Related Root Zone Management Transition Questions and Answers

    About NTIA

    NTIA is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth. To find out more about NTIA, visit www.ntia.doc.gov.

    -----Original Message-----
    From: discuss-bounces at 1net.org [mailto:discuss-bounces at 1net.org] On Behalf Of John Curran
    Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 5:58 PM
    To: 1Net List; <governance at lists.igcaucus.org>
    Subject: Re: [discuss] U.S. to Give Up Oversight of Web Policymaking Body

    On Mar 14, 2014, at 5:54 PM, Carolina <carolina.rossini at gmail.com> wrote:

    > http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303546204579439653103639452?mobile=y

    NTIA Press Release - <http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2014/ntia-announces-intent-transition-key-internet-domain-name-functions>

    FYI,
    /John

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