ICANN

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the not-for-profit entity responsible for the technical coordination of the Internet's domain name system (DNS). On September 30, 2009, NTIA, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce, reached agreement with ICANN on an Affirmation of Commitments that completed the transition of the technical coordination of the DNS to a multi-stakeholder, private-sector led model and contains provisions to ensure accountability and transparency in ICANN's decision-making with the goal of protecting the interests of global Internet users, as well as mechanisms to address the security stability, and resiliency of the Internet DNS.

NTIA represents the U.S. government in ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), which is structured to provide advice to the ICANN Board on the public policy aspects of the broad range of issues pending before ICANN.

DOC/ICANN Agreements

COMMERCE'S NTIA TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON TRANSITION OF THE INTERNET DNS TO PRIVATE SECTOR

July 25, 2006

Washington, DC - The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will host a public meeting on Wednesday July 26 to get input from interested stakeholders on the transition of the technical coordination and management of the Internet Domain Name and Addressing System to the private sector.

Topics

ICANN

Domain Name System

NTIA Awards Contract for Management of Key Internet Functions to ICANN

August 15, 2006

The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration today announced the award of a sole source contract to ICANN to perform technical functions supporting the Internet Domain Name system.

The department on February 21, 2006 issued a Request for Information to conduct market research about whether there were other qualified entities to perform these functions.

Topics

ICANN

Domain Name System