IANA functions
The United States Departmentof Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) remains committed to preserving a stable and secure Internet Domain Name System (DNS). Critical to the DNS is the continued performance of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions. The IANA functions have historically included: (1) The coordination of the assignment of technical Internet protocol parameters; (2) the administration of certain responsibilities associated with Internet DNS root zone management; (3) the allocation of Internet numbering resources; and (4) other services related to the management of the .ARPA and .INT top-level domains. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) performed the IANA functions, on behalf of the United States Government, through a contract with NTIA.
Related content
Remarks by Assistant Secretary Strickling at the Computer and Communications Industry Association Washington Caucus
Remarks by Lawrence E. Strickling
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information
Computer and Communications Industry Association
Washington Caucus
Washington, DC
April 9, 2014
--As prepared for delivery--
Myths and Facts on NTIA Announcement on Intent to Transition Key Internet Domain Name Functions
Myth:
The United States Government controls the Internet through the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions contract.
Fact:
There is no one party – government or industry, including the United States Government – that controls the Internet. The Internet is a decentralized network of networks.