EABC Internet Governance Policy
November 1, 2005

Since its inception, the Internet has worked exceptionally well as an open and free medium. Indeed, it has been a model for public-private cooperation, with responsiveness to the citizen and the customer at center of its operation. The Internet is and must remain non-political and trans-national. Internet governance has been “multi-stakeholder driven”, with results that have been truly outstanding.

Given the success of the Internet system to-date, the EABC does not see a need for greater government involvement in its governance. The European-American Business Council considers current internet governance arrangements as working well, with no need for an enhanced government role.

At a recent preparatory meeting of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the European Commission suggested a change in Internet governance concerning the Internet’s technical administration. The current approach to Internet governance through the ICANN carefully balances the interests of government, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations. The EU proposal would replace a very good system with an uncertain construct. The current system is working and “reform” is unneeded.

The growth and impact of the Internet have been driven by its openness, transparency, and bottom-up processes -- not by governmental regulation. The Internet is a network of networks; its success is based on a decentralized, distributed concept of responsibility that puts practical efficiency before politics. While its governance mechanisms are not perfect, multiple institutions with significant levels of expertise already exist to address outstanding issues and offer corrections that meet the needs of government and non-governmental stakeholders alike.

This issue arises just prior to the WSIS meeting in November. The United Nations formed WSIS to examine how the benefits of information and communication technology could better support the needs of the developing world. Given that the Internet as currently constructed offers unique and transformational opportunities for people across the planet as never before, WSIS should focus on how to maintain and strengthen this open architecture, not advance governmental controls that might balkanize the system and restrict the free flow of ideas, goods and services.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a private sector, non-profit organization, provides the narrowly focused technical coordination functions needed to make the Internet run. ICANN operates under a memorandum of understanding with the US government, but US government involvement is limited to a review of ICANN processes. ICANN is the decision making group, its Board is global in composition and its meetings are held  around the world. This system has effectively advanced the interests of millionsof worldwide Internet users in the developing, as well as developed world. To the extent that oversight is required, the ICANN governance structure reflects stakeholder interests and operates with open elections. If the advancement of a true, worldwide “information society” is the goal, we are on that path without need for enhancement of governmental regulation. Our time and talents are best spent delivering the benefits of the Internet, not adding to its regulation.

EABC Contact:

Michael C. Maibach
202-637-3444