The US government has approved the transition of internet domain management to an independent organisation under Icann. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, part of the US Department of Commerce, said it received on 12 August a letter from Icann saying the transition of all tasks would be completed by the deadline of 30 September. As a result, NTIA said it intends to allow Icann to take over the contract to run the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority from 01 October as planned.
The US first agreed in early 2014 to cede control of the internet domain management organisation under pressure from other countries that claimed the US exerted too much control over the global internet. In addition to privatising the DNS system, the new structure aims to enhance Icann's accountability as a fully independent organisation answering to a wide range of stakeholders around the world.
Icann will hold its quarterly conference call with stakeholders on 18 August to provide an update on its work and the transition plans.