THINDEN REPLY:
reply just received from my senator:
snip...greeting with my emphasis added
The U.S. plays an important role in Internet governance to ensure accountability, transparency, and accessibility. Under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), ICANN has managed the world wide system of assigning web site addresses and domain names for over a decade.
Unfortunately, in March, ICANN and the DOC signed a culminating agreement to remove ICANN from the control and oversight of the DOC. This agreement is scheduled to go for approval by the U.S National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Like you, I’m concerned that turning ICANN governance over to a foreign government or to an international body like the United Nations (UN) puts Internet freedom at risk. Even former President Bill Clinton warned that many have tried to take this authority away from the U.S. to limit free speech and protect governments from an informed and empowered populace. Also, countries like Russia and China could further suppress freedom of expression and stifle international communications if we relinquish oversight of the Internet.
Please rest assured should any additional relevant legislation be considered in the Senate, I will continue to work with my colleagues to retain the U.S.’s leadership role in the free and fair operation of the Internet.
snip....close
this left me with a couple questions:
1. what is NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Admistration?
2. who controls this organization?
In answer to your questions: The NTIA is under the Department of Commerce which is under the White House...
The White House controls the organization...I have seen Larry Strickling’s name around here so I am pinging Arthur Wildfire! March too. I will be posting a Conservative Review Article regarding some testimony by NTIA—they were evasive from what I gathered.
Senate Bill is concerned with the control of .mil and .gov extensions, House Resolution with funding for transfer of control...(See Bill)
SHORT: NTIA is the Executive Branch agency that is principally responsible for advising the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth.
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/home
LONGER: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), located within the Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that is principally responsible by law for advising the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth. These goals are critical to America’s competitiveness in the 21st century global economy and to addressing many of the nation’s most pressing needs, such as improving education, health care, and public safety.
Specific NTIA activities include:
Managing the Federal use of spectrum and identifying additional spectrum for commercial use;
Administering grant programs that further the deployment and use of broadband and other technologies in America;
DEVELOPING POLICY ON ISSUES RELATED TO THE INTERNET ECONOMY, including online privacy, copyright protection, cybersecurity, and the global free flow of information online;
Promoting the stability and security of the Internet’s domain name system through its PARTICIPATION ON BEHALF OF THE US GOVERNMENT IN INTERNET CORPORATION FOR ASSIGNED NAMES AND NUMBERS (ICANN)activities; and
Performing cutting-edge telecommunications research and engineering with both Federal government and private sector partners.
In addition to working with other Executive Branch agencies to develop Administration positions, NTIA represents the Executive Branch in both domestic and international telecommunications and information policy activities. NTIA is also a leading source of research and data on the status of broadband availability and adoption in America.
https://www.commerce.gov/doc/national-telecommunications-and-information-administration#4/39.46/-91.15
Headed up by:Lawrence Strickling, assistant secretary for communications and information and administrator, NTIA
What makes him powerful: Strickling’s biography says it all: “Strickling serves as administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the executive branch agency that is principally responsible for advising the President on communications and information policies, managing the federal use of electromagnetic spectrum, performing cutting-edge telecommunications research and engineering, formulating and advocating for U.S. positions on international communications and information technology policy matters, and administering infrastructure and public telecommunications facilities grants.”
Further, Strickling is essentially in charge of doling out $4.7 billion in broadband stimulus funding—an amount comparable to the capital expenses of a Tier 1 telecom carrier. For those companies hoping for government aid in their network buildouts, Strickling will remain a key player through the stimulus process.
But wait! That’s not all. In his position at NTIA Strickling will also no doubt have a hand in discussions about spectrum allocations. This is especially notable in light of FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s promise to free up new spectrum for bandwidth-hungry wireless carriers. “We will need a lot more spectrum,” Genachowski said. “Spectrum is the oxygen for mobile broadband networks.” Thus, as part of Strickling’s “managing the federal use of electromagnetic spectrum” duties, that likely will involve working with the FCC to identify spectrum suitable for wireless.
http://www.fiercewireless.com/special-report/21-lawrence-strickling-most-powerful-people-wireless
DEPT. OF COMMERCE IS UNDER THE EXECUTIVE (OBAMA) BRANCH:
Department of Commerce
The Department of Commerce is the government agency tasked with improving living standards for all Americans by promoting economic development and technological innovation.
The department supports U.S. business and industry through a number of services, including gathering economic and demographic data, issuing patents and trademarks, improving understanding of the environment and oceanic life, and ensuring the effective use of scientific and technical resources. The agency also formulates telecommunications and technology policy, and promotes U.S. exports by assisting and enforcing international trade agreements.
The Secretary of Commerce oversees a $6.5 billion budget and approximately 38,000 employees.
Protecting Internet Freedom Act
This bill prohibits the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information from allowing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s responsibility for Internet domain name system functions, including the authoritative root zone file and the performance of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority functions, to cease unless a federal statute enacted after enactment of this bill expressly grants the Assistant Secretary such authority.
The Assistant Secretary must certify to Congress that the U.S. government has: (1) secured sole ownership of the .gov and .mil top-level domains, and (2) entered into a contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers that provides the U.S. government with exclusive control and use of those domains in perpetuity.
https://projects.propublica.org/represent/bills/114/s3034
Ah. Now some meat for a Strickling vanity. Good work!