WASHINGTON, SEPT. 21, 2006 - "The economic impact of the Internet is everywhere, and online retailers in our nation achieved over $170 billion in sales last year, a figure expected to exceed $300 billion in 2010," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee. Stearns' subcommittee today held a joint hearing with the Telecommunications Subcommittee on "ICANN Internet Governance: Is It Working?".
"I believe that the Domain Name System (DNS) administered by ICANN, with very significant private sector involvement, has been a success," explained Stearns. "Restructuring this arrangement, which has worked well over the years, could lead to greater uncertainty, less innovation, and fewer consumer choices. Some governments around the world would like to see changes, including putting it under a U.N. agency. I will oppose any such efforts."
The subcommittees heard testimony from several witnesses, with none supporting placing the arrangement under U.N. control. However, there were differences on ICANN governance. John Kneuer, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, U.S. Department of Commerce, stated, "The Department continues to support the work of ICANN as the coordinator for the technical functions related to the management of the Internet DNS."
Steve DelBianco, Executive Director of NetChoice, recognized that ICANN's management was working, "However, there are several ways that ICANN's management is not working effectively to maintain the most important qualities of the DNS - availability and integrity."
Thomas Lenard, Ph.D., Senior VP for Research at the Progress and Freedom Foundation, testified, "ICANN can be even more light-handed ands pro-competitive in its approach to overseeing the DNS ands that should be its goal."
Dr. Paul Twomey, President and CEO of ICANN, explained, "ICANN is committed to its continuing role as the private sector steward of a stable and globally interoperable Internet, and is committed to fostering competition in the domain name marketplace."
Concluded Stearns, "Our witnesses agree that management should not be ceded to the U.N. or to multinational control, and that ICANN has been effective in its mission. However, we did hear calls for greater competition and a lighter regulatory approach, and we heard ICANN recognize the value of competition. I will continue to follow the progress in managing the system in a manner that promotes its benefits to consumers and business."
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