PLEASE NOTE: The following document is a Notice announcing a scheduled public meeting on the future management and administration of the .us domain. Though it is not intended or expected, should any discrepancy occur between the document here and that published in the Federal Register, the Federal Register publication controls. The document is being made available through the Internet solely as a means to facilitate the public's access to this Notice.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION

Docket No. 980212036-9040-04

Enhancement of the .us Domain Space, Notification of Public Meeting

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice

________________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: Notification is hereby given that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will hold a public meeting to explore the future administration and management of the .us domain name space. The meeting is scheduled to occur on the dates and times described below. All times noted are eastern standard time. Attendees should complete and submit the meeting pre-registration form located at http://www.ntia.doc.gov. The meeting is open to the public and seating at the meeting will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is strongly recommended that participants review "Request for Comments on the Enhancement of the .us Domain Space," 63 Fed. Reg. 41547 (1988) (also posted at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/usrfc/dotusrfc.htm), and the public comments received in response to the RFC. These comments can be viewed at http://www.ntia.doc.gov. The agenda will proceed through presentations and panel/roundtable discussions. The public will be afforded an opportunity to participate through question and answer/open discussion periods as time permits.

DATES: March 9, 1999, 10:00am to 4:30pm

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Department of Commerce, Room 4830, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Attendees should use the Main Entrance on 14th Street. To facilitate entry please have a picture ID available and/or a U.S. Government building pass if applicable ready upon arrival.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

General: Karen Rose, NTIA/OIA, (202) 482-1866. More detailed information regarding the agenda and other aspects of the meeting will be made available and updated periodically at http://www.ntia.doc.gov. The pre-registration form will also be made available at this address.

Media Inquiries: Please contact the NTIA Office of Public Affairs, at (202) 482-7002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 4, 1998, NTIA published "Request for Comments on the Enhancement of the .us Domain Space," 63 Fed. Reg. 41547 (1988) (also posted at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/usrfc/dotusrfc.htm). The .us domain is currently administered by the Information Sciences Institute at the University of Southern California. The RFC sought comments regarding the future administration and management of the .us domain space. That comment period was extend on August 24 to afford interested parties a full opportunity to address the issues on which NTIA solicited public comment. See 63 Fed. Reg.45800 (1998).

Purpose: The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the future management and administration of the .us domain, including how .us could be optimized or enhanced to encourage increased utilization of the domain space.

Agenda: The tentative agenda is as follows:

  1. .us Today: Overview of current management and structure of the .us domain space.
  2. .us Issues and Opportunities: A discussion of the issues and opportunities facing the current and future management of the .us space, with a view toward identifying possible solutions. Questions and issues posed in the .us RFC will be explored as well as other issues and opportunities as identified during the discussion.
  3. Other Systems: An overview of the manner in which other country code top level domains (ccTLDs) are administered. What are the current practices and issues in the management of other ccTLDs and to what extent such practices inform the utilization, design, and management of .us?
  4. .us RFC Proposals: Specific proposals with respect to administering the .us domain name system submitted in response to the .us RFC will be discussed focusing on how these proposed models function to address the issues and opportunities associated with the .us domain space.
  5. Going Forward: A discussion on the next steps for the management and administration of the .us space. We will attempt to summarize the issues, opportunities, and possible solutions identified throughout the day and focus on the possible elements, policies or other solutions that could be implemented as part of future .us administration and management. As part of this item, the feasibility of issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for .us management and administration will be discussed.

The agenda is subject to change. An updated, more detailed agenda will be made prior to the meeting. Please check the NTIA website at http://www.ntia.doc.gov.

Dated: February 5, 1999

Kathy Smith

Acting Chief Counsel