The Breakup of NTIA and ICANN

In a press release on Friday, the U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration ( NTIA) announced its intent to transition key Internet domain name functions to global oversight.

The decision means that NTIA will let its contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ( ICANN) expire in September 2015, effectively ending the relationship.

NTIA is the executive branch agency that advises the president on telecommunications and information policy issues. Its programs and policymaking focus primarily on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth.

ICANN, the group that manages the Internet's architecture, has faced criticism in recent years regarding the influence of the United States on its operations. NTIA Administrator Lawrence Strickling said in a press conference that the decision to end the relationship was driven more by "a longtime understanding that the partnership would be temporary."

Strickling also noted that the transition was contingent on its having "broad community support" from Internet users, governments and companies.

From the Internet's beginning, the United States has played a key role in managing various components of the web, including domain names. ICANN has operated under the U.S. Department of Commerce since 2000.

In recent years, several nations including China and Russia have requested that the United Nations and its International Telecommunication Union ( ITU) be allocated a greater role.

Opponents of the move warn that the Internet could end up with a censorship structure and argue that without the contract with ICANN, the NTIA will not be able to push ICANN for improvements and will have less legal standing in U.S. courts.

The transition will be debated during ICANN's meeting in Singapore Mar. 23-27.

To read the full Press Release visit the NTIA website