Based in California, ICANN is the not-for-profit organisation
that co-ordinates the internet's Domain Name System (DNS). In
February 2002, it announced a review of its mission, funding and
relationship with governments. The UK Government, along with many
others, is working with ICANN on this programme of reform.
The consultation seeks the views of the UK internet community -
businesses, internet companies and domain name users - on how ICANN
should be reformed and how Governments can best support the
important work of ICANN.
Douglas Alexander said yesterday:
"The Domain Name system is a key part of the
internet's infrastructure. ICANN performs a very important role,
co-ordinating key functions of the domain name system and has
achieved a number of successes since it was created in 1998. But
like any innovative and new organisation, it is right that it
undertakes a reform programme. UK, along with other Governments and
key stakeholders, is keen to help ICANN in this process."
ICANN's President has called for ICANN to become an effective
and global public private partnership with ICANN rooted in the
private sector but with the support of Governments. The UK
Government said that it supports this approach.
The following are among the questions in the Government’s
consultation:
- How should the user/consumer input best be represented in
ICANN?
- What do you think about Governments contributing to ICANN?
- How should the public policy issues of the domain name system
(such security, privacy or competition) best be addressed at the
global level?
- What you do think Governments’ involvement in the Domain Name
System should be?
- Should some or all of ICANN’s current functions be performed by
a treaty based multi-governmental organisation?
- How should IP address allocation be handled in the new ICANN
structure?
Comments can be sent to icannconsult@dti.gov.uk not
later than 14th june
