The root server system maintains a list of all approved top-level domains, including country codes. A central server is operated by VeriSign that keeps the master list but the list is replicated daily to 12 other file servers, located across the world. These 13 root servers help to direct the internet's traffic every day and, although each server is privately held, the US Department of Commerce has administrative control over all of them.
Last week's announcement from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the Department of Commerce, comes as other countries have been calling for greater internationalisation of internet control.
In a statement, the NTIA said:
"The United States Government intends to preserve the security and stability of the Internet's Domain Name and Addressing System (DNS). Given the Internet's importance to the world's economy, it is essential that the underlying DNS of the Internet remain stable and secure. As such, the United States is committed to taking no action that would have the potential to adversely impact the effective and efficient operation of the [Domain Name and Addressing System] and will therefore maintain its historic role in authorizing changes or modifications to the authoritative root zone file"
The statement adds that the US will continue its "oversight" of ICANN. The Department of Commerce had previously indicated that it would relinquish relevant powers to ICANN once certain conditions were met. It now appears to be saying that it will keep control whether or not ICANN meets those conditions.
ICANN is a non-profit corporation based in California that derives its authority from a 1998 agreement with the US Government. However, ICANN is influenced by an international Governmental Advisory Committee.
Internet governance, including the oversight of the root servers, is expected to feature on the agenda of a World Summit on the Information Society, taking place in Tunisia in November.
