Significant progress made on the new Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
In order to ensure adequate input into the process leading to the creation of the new Internet Assigned Number Authority (IANA), which will oversee key administrative functions of the Internet, including the coordinating functions for domain names and numbers, the European Commission has called a number of consultative meetings. As a result of one of these meetings, the EC Panel of Participants (EC-PoP) was established, consisting of a European group of stakeholder representatives with the remit of establishing a common European position on this issue and advising the Commission as appropriate. A fourth draft of proposals on the creation of IANA has now been established and the EC-PoP has recently suggested that it feels significant progress has now been made. The panel believes that the last proposal submitted largely addressed most of the issues identified by them and is a realistic basis for the launch of the new corporation. There are certain issues however still not fully dealt with, such as the improvement of safeguards against extra-territorial application of US law and public policies. The panel has recommended that the initial board established should deal with this. The EC-PoP also underlined the need to ensure a more balanced international representation within the corporation, as in the current draft more than 50% of the members could come from a single region such as Europe or North America. They stress that all stakeholder groups, sectoral and regional, need to be reassured that their interests will be equitably represented on the Board. In conclusion, the panel points out that delays in incorporating the new IANA could create lasting imbalances with respect to the required international and competitive equilibrium. It underlines the fact that the smooth implementation of the agreement and the new body is key to preserving the stability of the Internet.