The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced the award of a contract to NeuStar, Inc., for the management of the .us domain space. The .us domain space is the country code top level domain associated with the United States.

NeuStar and the Department of Commerce entered into a four-year contract, with two one-year, optional extensions, on October 26^th, setting forth the terms under which NeuStar will provide technical management of .us and enhanced services for .us consumers.

"This is the first step in enhancing the .us domain space in a way that will benefit all Americans," said Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Nancy J. Victory. "The domain is going to be more attractive and more technically sound, and any American consumer or business will be eligible for a .us address."

The contract is available on NTIA's website at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/usca/index.html