DOTCOM Act Can Make the Internet’s Next Evolution Possible

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 805, the DOTCOM Act. The bipartisan compromise provides clear congressional direction to the considerable efforts being undertaken by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to ensure a responsible, principled transfer of the stewardship of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions to the wider stakeholder community. The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), commends House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), ranking member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), and Reps. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), and John Shimkus (Ill.) for the significant improvements that were made to the DOTCOM Act.

ITI continues to support the NTIA initiative. While we recognize that the transfer of U.S. government stewardship is a significant and historical undertaking, we believe it is the right move at the right time, and will help counter international efforts to establish greater government influence over critical aspects of the Internet.

A timely, responsible transition will help ensure that the IANA functions remain in the hands of independent expert organizations, while also reassuring the global community of the U.S. commitment to multistakeholder governance of the Internet. H.R. 805, as amended, is an important contribution to this goal and the Senate Commerce Committee has already signaled it will take up the measure shortly.

ITI intends to remain vigilant throughout the IANA stewardship transition, to help ensure that, ultimately, the process preserves an open, stable and secure Internet, and that effective ICANN accountability is achieved.

Public Policy Tags: Internet Governance

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