US Government tells ICANN it intends to allow the IANA functions contract to expire as of 1 October

Following the review of a report submitted last week by ICANN on the implementation status of the IANA stewardship transition, the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration has informed ICANN that, barring any significant impediment, it intends to allow the IANA functions contract to expire as of 1 October. In an ‘Update on the IANA transition’ published on the NTIA website, Assistant Secretary Larry Strickling further explains that the IANA stewardship transition proposal ‘will strengthen the multistakeholder approach, while maintaining the stability, security, and openness of the Internet that users across the globe depend on today. This multistakeholder model is the key reason why the Internet has grown and thrived as a dynamic platform for innovation, economic growth and free expression.’