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Tag: U.S. Department of Commerce

  • U.S. Government To Give Up Control Of IANA

    Since 1997, the U.S. Department of Commerce has overseen ICANN and the Internet Assigned Numbers Association through its National Telecommunications and Information Administration. While the non-profit has thrived underneath U.S. oversight, some, including Sir Tim Berners-Lee, argue that it needs to break off from the U.S. to truly thrive. Well, they just got their wish.

    The U.S. Department of Commerce announced over the weekend that it intends to transition “key Internet domain name functions to the global multistakeholder community.” In other words, it’s going to end its role as steward of the IANA and DNS. The move allows the DNS to go completely private.

    “The timing is right to start the transition process,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Lawrence E. Strickling. “We look forward to ICANN convening stakeholders across the global Internet community to craft an appropriate transition plan.”

    Interestingly enough, ICANN will be holding a meeting in Brazil next month to discuss how the IANA and the DNS will operate when they’re completely free of U.S. oversight. There are bound to be a number of proposals from the countries attending the meeting, but the U.S. Department of Commerce says any new proposal must adhere to four principles:

  • Support and enhance the multistakeholder model;
  • Maintain the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet DNS;
  • Meet the needs and expectation of the global customers and partners of the IANA services
  • Maintain the openness of the Internet.

    • The Commerce Department also says that it will not accept any proposal “that replaces the NTIA role with a government-led or an inter-governmental organization solution.” In other words, the future of the Internet must remain free from the influence of any government to maintain neutrality.

    Those worried that the Internet might suddenly stop working need not be. The IANA’s current contract with the Department of Commerce lasts until September 30, 2015. ICANN and other interested parties have until then to develop a transition plan that satisfies all parties.

    Image via IANA

  • Home Sales Rose in July, But Prices Didn’t Follow

    The U.S. Department of Commerce announced yesterday that residential home sales throughout the U.S. rose 3.6% in July over home sales in June. The July sales rate matches the rate seen in May, which was the highest rate seen in just over two years. The sales, estimated at 372,000 homes, are also 25.3% more than July home sales in 2011, which saw only an estimated 297,000 residential home sales.

    While this is good news for the housing market and the economy as a whole, those selling their home were not helped by a similar rise in home prices. The currently low mortgage rates, along with inexpensive home prices have allowed many new homeowners to enter the market at a low cost.

    The Commerce Department estimates that the average sale price of a new residential house was $263,200 in July, which is a slight drop from June’s estimate of $266,900. They estimate that 142,000 new houses were up for sale at the end of July, which is enough to last 4.6 months at the current sales rate.

    The Associated Press is reporting that housing stocks rose yesterday following the Commerce Department’s announcement, though they still managed to end the day slightly down, along with the rest of the market.

    New Commerce Department home sales estimates for the month of August can be expected on Wednesday, September 26.