i2Coalition Sends Letter Showing Industry Support For IANA Transition

The Internet Infrastructure Coalition has coordinated and delivered a letter to Congressional leadership, signed by eighteen of the world’s leading Internet companies, and nine of the most important organizations showcasing the Internet community’s support for the IANA transition. The letter signatories include i2Coalition’s own members Afilias, Amazon, cPanel, Donuts, Dropsuite, Endurance, Google, Handy Networks, OnApp, SingleHop and Tucows.

On October 1st, 2016 the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) plans to end its stewardship of the Internet’s addressing system and shift authority to the global Internet community via the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). This shift of authority is vital to the economic and national security of the United States of America. The i2Coalition has worked with members of Congress and the global Internet community to ensure the IANA transition is not only efficient, but also in the best interest of the freedom of the American people and the global community; stressing the protection of human rights and the United States Freedom of Speech. The i2Coalition, its members and, partners firmly believe that any delay of this transition will be a major setback for the Internet ecosystem. This transition plan will provide accountability, transparency and security.

The letter itself can be found here. The text of the letter is as follows:

September 13, 2016

The Honorable Paul Ryan Speaker of the House
H­232, The Capitol Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Mitch McConnell Senate Majority Leader
S­230, The Capitol, Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi House Minority Leader
H­204, The Capitol Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Harry Reid Senate Minority Leader S
221, The Capitol Washington, DC 20510

Dear Speaker Ryan, Minority Leader Pelosi, Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Reid:

On October 1st, 2016, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) plans to end its stewardship of the Internet’s addressing system, known as the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). This authority would then shift to the global Internet community, through the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a private­sector led, multi­stakeholder organization to coordinate Internet addresses.

In March 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce asked ICANN to convene the global community of Internet stakeholders to produce a transition plan that meets strict criteria. The undersigned companies and trade associations, representing thousands of companies across the country, are proud and active members of the Internet community. We have worked with representatives from civil society, government, and the technical community to craft a proposal that enables the U.S. Government to seamlessly transfer stewardship of the Internet’s addressing system to its global stakeholders.

The final proposal includes significant and concrete measures to enhance ICANN’s accountability to its global community. We believe that this important proposal will assure the continuing security, stability and resiliency of this system. Furthermore, crucial safeguards are in place to protect human rights, including the freedom of speech. We are confident that the proposal goes above and beyond the criteria set out by the Commerce Department two years ago to protect Americans.

The Internet’s addressing system helps keep the Internet global, scalable and interoperable. It is imperative that Congress does not take action to delay the October 1st transition date. The Internet is defined by its inclusivity and openness. Those critical characteristics are reflected in the work that – over the course of many months of open, transparent and inclusive discussion – went into the drafting of this transition proposal, which is ready to be executed.

A global, interoperable and stable Internet is essential for our economic and national security, and we remain committed to completing the nearly twenty year transition to the multi­stakeholder model that will best serve U.S. interests.

Sincerely,

ACT | The App Association
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)
Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)
The Domain Name Association (The DNA)
Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
Internet Association
Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition)
NetChoice
Packet Clearing House
Afilias PLC
Amazon
Cloudflare
cPanel, Inc.
Donuts Inc.
Dropsuite
Dyn
Endurance
Facebook
Google
GoDaddy
Handy Networks
OnApp
Public Interest Registry
SingleHop
Tucows, Inc.
Twitter
Yahoo

CC:
Chairman Grassley
Ranking Member Leahy Chairman Thune
Ranking Member Nelson Chairman Goodlatte
Ranking Member Conyers Chairman Upton
Ranking Member Pallone