RD351 - Response to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the US Department of Commerce on the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) Functions

ETNO believes that management of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions should transition from a Government oversight contractual responsibility to that of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ETNO is deeply concerned that the IANA functions could be used as a means to verify or revisit decisions made on new generic top level domain (gTLD) delegations. Such delegation decisions should be made according to the process set out in the new gTLD Applicant Guidebook.

Executive Summary:

• ETNO believes that management of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions should transition from a Government oversight contractual responsibility to that of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), as an independent organisation, such transition taking place with the understanding that ICANN complies with the obligations set out under the Affirmation of Commitments.
• ETNO is deeply concerned that the IANA functions, which are technical by nature, could be used as a means to verify or revisit decisions made on new generic top level domain (gTLD) delegations on the basis of an evaluation of consensus among relevant stakeholders or evaluation of the global public interest. Such delegation decisions should be made according to the process set out in the new gTLD Applicant Guidebook.