Aussie steps into ICANN hot seat

Stuart Corner
Friday, 14 July 2006 13:11

IT Industry - Strategy

However within a week the NTIA had announced a public enquiry into "The continued transition of the technical coordination and management of the Internet domain name and addressing system," questioning, among other things, whether the renewal should take place.

Comments were sought on:
- "Has ICANN achieved sufficient progress in its tasks, as agreed in the MoU, for the transition to take place by September 30, 2006?"
- "Are these core tasks and milestones still relevant to facilitate this transition and meet the goals outlined [for DNS management]."
- "Should new or revised tasks/methods be considered in order for the transition to occur?"

To date the enquiry has received over 400 submissions, and according to one observer the renewal of ICANN's contract is not universally supported.

Edward Hasbrouck describes himself as "a journalist who has been published on the Internet, and whose 'beat' and one of have focused on topics specific to the Internet and its use by consumers."

He notes that: "There are legitimate differences of opinion as to whether ICANN or another private USA corporation, the government of the USA, an intergovernmental organisation (under United Nations auspices or otherwise), some other type of organisation, or no central governing body at all would be best (or the lesser evil) for the Internet and its users."