WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) announcement that it intends to support the process of transitioning the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority functions to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

“The Internet was invented and developed in the U.S., and it has completely transformed the way people communicate and do business in every corner of the world. Since 1998, the U.S. has been committed to transitioning management of the Internet’s domain name system to an independent entity that reflects the broad diversity of the global Internet community. NTIA’s announcement today that it is beginning the process of transferring additional domain name functions to ICANN is the next phase in this transition. It is also
consistent with other efforts the U.S. and our allies are making to promote a free and open Internet, and to preserve and advance the current multi-stakeholder model of global Internet governance.”                          

###