US 'to loosen' grip on internet
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8275679.stm * The US government is expected to relax control over how the internet is run when it signs an accord with net regulator Icann on Wednesday.* The "affirmation of commitments" will reportedly give Icann autonomy to run its own affairs for the first time. Previous agreements gave the US close oversight of Icann - drawing criticism from other countries. Earlier this year, the EU called on the US to relinquish its control and Icann to become "universally accountable". "The US government is the only body to have had formal oversight of Icann's policies and activities since its inception in 1998," it said. "The Commission believes that Icann should become universally accountable, not just to one government but to the global internet community. "This is particularly relevant given that the next billion of internet users will mainly come from the developing world." The current agreement between the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) and the US Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration is due to expire on Thursday. *'Formal relationship'* Icann is a not-for-profit private sector corporation - set up by the US government - which oversees critical parts of the internet, such as the top-level domain (TLD) name system. Top level domains include .com and .uk. The body recently voted to relax the strict rules on TLDs, meaning companies could turn brands into web addresses, while individuals could use their names. Icann also agreed to introduce domain names written in Asian, Arabic or other scripts. The regulator has not yet released details of the new agreement with the US. However, a report - described as "accurate" by people familiar with Icann - in the Economist magazine says the new deal does not have a fixed term. It identifies a number of groups, including representatives of foreign governments, which will conduct regular reviews of Icann's work. The panels would specifically focus on competition among generic domain names, how domain-name registrants' data are handled, network security and transparency, and accountability and the public interest - the only panel on which the US will reportedly retain a permanent seat. A formal announcement about the deal is expected on Wednesday. However, it is unlikely that the new agreement will sever the links between the US government and Icann entirely. Rod Beckstrom, president and chief of the organisation, said in a letter to Congress last week that it would seek to maintain a "long term, formal relationship with the United States Government". The body also has a separate agreement with the US - to run the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) - that expires in 2011. The IANA oversees the net's addressing system.
Never ever. The US is likely to retain its grip on the internet critical resources - particularly now that it is the sole superpower...but again, within the East African Context - does it matter whether it is China, EU (read ITU) or the US in charge? Maybe not. We probably have enough on our plates at http://www.cck.go.ke/current_consultations/ walu. --- On Tue, 9/29/09, alice <alice@apc.org> wrote:
From: alice <alice@apc.org> Subject: [kictanet] US 'to loosen' grip on internet To: jwalu@yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 10:22 AM http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8275679.stm
* The US government is expected to relax control over how the internet is run when it signs an accord with net regulator Icann on Wednesday.*
The "affirmation of commitments" will reportedly give Icann autonomy to run its own affairs for the first time.
Previous agreements gave the US close oversight of Icann - drawing criticism from other countries.
Earlier this year, the EU called on the US to relinquish its control and Icann to become "universally accountable".
"The US government is the only body to have had formal oversight of Icann's policies and activities since its inception in 1998," it said.
"The Commission believes that Icann should become universally accountable, not just to one government but to the global internet community.
"This is particularly relevant given that the next billion of internet users will mainly come from the developing world."
The current agreement between the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) and the US Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration is due to expire on Thursday.
*'Formal relationship'*
Icann is a not-for-profit private sector corporation - set up by the US government - which oversees critical parts of the internet, such as the top-level domain (TLD) name system. Top level domains include .com and .uk.
The body recently voted to relax the strict rules on TLDs, meaning companies could turn brands into web addresses, while individuals could use their names. Icann also agreed to introduce domain names written in Asian, Arabic or other scripts.
The regulator has not yet released details of the new agreement with the US.
However, a report - described as "accurate" by people familiar with Icann - in the Economist magazine says the new deal does not have a fixed term.
It identifies a number of groups, including representatives of foreign governments, which will conduct regular reviews of Icann's work.
The panels would specifically focus on competition among generic domain names, how domain-name registrants' data are handled, network security and transparency, and accountability and the public interest - the only panel on which the US will reportedly retain a permanent seat.
A formal announcement about the deal is expected on Wednesday.
However, it is unlikely that the new agreement will sever the links between the US government and Icann entirely.
Rod Beckstrom, president and chief of the organisation, said in a letter to Congress last week that it would seek to maintain a "long term, formal relationship with the United States Government".
The body also has a separate agreement with the US - to run the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) - that expires in 2011.
The IANA oversees the net's addressing system.
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On Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 12:25 PM, Walubengo J <jwalu@yahoo.com> wrote:
Never ever.
The US is likely to retain its grip on the internet critical resources
Which "grip" is that, the one that ends tomorrow? What ppl have mostly complained about is the idea that the USG COULD nix an addition to the root zone file. IIRC that "rubber stamp" ends tomorrow with the JPA. If you are talking about the contract to run the IANA that ICANN has with the USG, then you are correct, that is unlikely to change. Who else would do this at zero cost? AFAIK, ICANN operates the IANA without being paid to do so. -- Cheers, McTim "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel
FYI.... http://www.cio.co.ke/index.php/view-all-world-news-stories/186-us-relationsh ip-with-icann-may-not-end.html Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing
Yes, it was interesting hearing an academician on BBC this morning describe the new document, called "Affirmation of Commitments" as a "less tenuous document". Question is, does that give ICANN more or less autonomy and independence? Regards, Brian On Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 12:38 PM, Harry Hare <harry@africanedevelopment.org>wrote:
FYI....
http://www.cio.co.ke/index.php/view-all-world-news-stories/186-us-relationsh ip-with-icann-may-not-end.html<http://www.cio.co.ke/index.php/view-all-world-news-stories/186-us-relationsh%0Aip-with-icann-may-not-end.html>
Harry
African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044
Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing
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On Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 12:46 PM, Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe@gmail.com>wrote:
Yes, it was interesting hearing an academician on BBC this morning describe the new document, called "Affirmation of Commitments" as a "less tenuous document". Question is, does that give ICANN more or less autonomy and independence?
We will find out at 10 a.m. EST apparently. My guess is much more autonomy and independence. Who was the academic? -- Cheers, McTim "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel
Yes certainly much more autonomy and more space for ICANN constituencies/stakeholders to play a role in governance. Assume no more MOU's as well. Let's wait to see the Doc. Best Alice P.S views expressed are personal and not a reflection of any of the institutions I am affiliated with. -----Original Message----- From: Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe@gmail.com> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:46:23 To: <alice@apc.org> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] US relationship with ICANN may not end _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: alice@apc.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org
participants (6)
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alice -
alice munyua
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Brian Munyao Longwe -
Harry Hare -
McTim -
Walubengo J