US to keep hold of Icann until 2011?

The US government this week renewed its contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann), effectively extending its grip on the administrative body that co-ordinates net addressing until up to 2011.

The new contract between the not-for-profit organisation and the US Department of Commerce covers technical functions related to the internet domain name system (DNS) and is scheduled to go into effect on 1 October, one day after the existing contract expires. Technically, the agreement lasts for one year, and the government has the option of renewing it each year for up to four additional years.

Paul Twomey, Icann's CEO, said in a statement: "In executing this contract the Department of Commerce has confirmed that Icann is uniquely positioned to perform this function."

The move appears to be consistent with a set of internet governance principles issued last summer by the Commerce Department that ignited a worldwide debate. In addition to asserting its plans to retain control over the internet's "root", the master file that lists what top-level domains are authorised, the Bush administration said it planned to maintain its supervision over Icann.

For years, the US government has been saying it ultimately intends to unleash Icann from its control. It has operated the net addressing system under an agreement with US authorities since 1998. At a recent public hearing, John Kneuer, the department's acting assistant secretary for communications and information, said the agency remained "committed" to that transition but gave no indication of when it may happen.

The contract awarded this week covers only technical tasks performed by Icann, such as allocating DNS numbers and performing certain responsibilities related to managing the internet root zone. Also set to expire on 30 September, but not yet addressed formally by the Commerce Department, is a separate agreement known as a "memorandum of understanding" (MoU), which has been repeatedly amended and renewed.

The MoU, designed to pave the way for an eventual shift away from US control, outlines more specific obligations for Icann, such as procedures for establishing new top-level domain names, for keeping tabs on "Whois" registry information, and for fostering greater transparency in the organisation's dealings. A Commerce Department spokesman told silicon.com sister site CNET News.com on Wednesday he had "no idea" how the agency would proceed with that agreement.

Anne Broache writes for CNET News.com