http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/NSI100698.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 6, 1998

CONTACT: Karen Kirchgasser (202) 482-7002
kkirchgasser§ntia.doc.gov

COMMERCE DEPT AND NETWORK SOLUTIONS REACH AGREEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Commerce and
Network Solutions, Inc. (NSI) signed an agreement today
to facilitate the stable evolution of the Internet domain
name system (DNS) to private sector management.

Last June, the United States government invited the global
community of Internet stakeholders to work together to form
a not-for-profit corporation to manage DNS functions. The
Statement of Policy issued by the Department of Commerce on
June 5 (the White Paper) indicated that the United States
is prepared to recognize, by entering into agreement with,
and to seek international support for a private corporation
committed to operating the DNS system in a manner that
preserves the stability of the Internet, supports the
development of competition and greater consumer choice,
preserves, as far as possible, the bottom-up coordination
characteristic of Internet operation, and that reflects
the functional and geographic diversity of the Internet
and its users.

The agreement reached today with NSI paves the way for the
transition of DNS management responsibilities to a new
not-for-profit corporation, and achieves the objectives
outlined in the White Paper. Under the agreement, NSI has
agreed to:

(1) develop software to open .com, .net and .org to
competing registrars on a phased approach beginning on
March 31, 1999 with full implementation by June 1, 1999.

(2) recognize the authority of the new not-for-profit
corporation described in the White Paper to establish
and implement DNS policy and to establish the terms under
which gTLDs, registries, and registrars operate; and

(3) make available the databases, software, documentation,
technical expertise and other intellectual property needed
by the new corporation to manage DNS in accordance with
the White Paper.

"This agreement is the result of in-depth discussions
between NSI and the Department of Commerce,"said
Becky Burr, Associate Administrator of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce. "It delivers on the promises
that the Department outlined in the White Paper and
demonstrates NSI's commitment to robust competition in
DNS management."

Last week, the Department received three proposals to
administer policy for the development of competition
in the Internet name and address space. The proposals
are posted at www.ntia.doc.gov and public comments
on the proposals will be accepted through October 13,
1998. The Department of Commerce will also consult with
interested governments to obtain their views on any
proposals submitted. Electronic comments can be sent to
dnspolicy§ntia.doc.gov.  Written comments can also be sent
to: Karen Rose, NTIA/OIA, Room 4701, U.S.  Department of
Commerce, 14th and Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20230.
--
Leni Mayo                          Ph:    +61 3 9428 5530
                                   Fax:   +61 3 9428 5902
Moniker Pty Ltd                    E-mail: mailto:leni§moniker.net
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