Enhancement of the .us Domain Space, Notification of Open Electronic Mailing List for Public Discussions Regarding the Future Management and Administration of the .us Domain Space

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

[Docket No. 980212036-9125-05]

Enhancement of the .us Domain Space, Notification of Open

Electronic Mailing List for Public Discussions Regarding the Future

Management and Administration of the .us Domain Space

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration,

Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notification is hereby given that the National

Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has

established an open electronic mailing list for public discussions

regarding the future management and administration of the .us domain

space. Participation in the mailing list is open to all members of the

public interested in discussing the issue.

DATES: The mailing list 1 will remain open until August 12,

1999.

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\1\ Routine maintenance of NTIA computer systems may render the

list inactive for short periods of time.

ADDRESSES: To subscribe to the mailing list, send an electronic mail to

[email protected] and in the body of the message

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type: join us-list.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Rose, NTIA/OIA, (202) 482-1866.

For technical inquires, contact [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 4, 1998, NTIA published ``Request

for Comments on the Enhancement of the .us Domain Space,'' 63 FR 41547

(1988) (also posted at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/

usrfc/dotusrfc.htm). The RFC sought comments regarding the future

administration and management of the .us domain space. That comment

period was extended on August 24 to afford interested parties a full

opportunity to address the issues on which NTIA solicited public

comment. See 63 FR 45800 (1998).

On March 9, 1999, NTIA hosted a public meeting regarding the future

management and administration of the .us domain. See 64 FR 6633 (1999).

Approximately 60 participants attended the meeting, including the

current .us administrator, current .us registrars, educators,

representatives of the technical, public interest and business

communities, state government officials, officials from Federal

Government and representatives of foreign governments. The discussions

focused on four main topics: (1) the current administration of the .us

domain space, (2) issues and opportunities facing the current and

future management of .us, (3) possible models for future .us

management, and (4) possible next steps for going forward. See http://

www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/dotusagenda.htm. The meeting

resulted in a thoughtful and constructive exchange of ideas about range

of issues regarding current and future .us management. Meeting

participants were strongly in favor of engaging in further discussions

and requested that NTIA establish an electronic mailing list to help

facilitate the interchange. This notice announces that NTIA has set up

the electronic mailing list.

In an effort to afford the public an open forum in which to freely

discuss the broad range of issues regarding the .us domain space, NTIA

will not actively moderate the mailing list, but staff will follow the

discussions. NTIA requests, however, that participants keep discussions

focused on issues related to the future management and administration

of the .us domain space. Digest archives of mailing list discussions

may be posted periodically on the NTIA web site at http://

www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/domainhome.htm. The views

expressed in the mailing list are not necessarily endorsed by the

Department of Commerce or NTIA. Moreover, the Department of Commerce

and NTIA reserve the right not to post comments that the Department of

Commerce or NTIA deems inappropriate.

Kathy Smith,

Acting Chief Counsel.

[FR Doc. 99-12229 Filed 5-13-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-60-P