Enhancement of the .us Domain Space, Notification of Public Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

[Docket No. 980212036-9040-04]

Enhancement of the .us Domain Space, Notification of Public

Meeting

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) will hold a

public meeting to explore the future administration and management of

the .us domain name space. The meeting is scheduled to occur on the

dates and times described below. All times noted are eastern standard

time. Attendees should complete and submit the meeting pre-registration

form located at http://www.ntia.doc.gov. The meeting is open to the

public and seating at the meeting will be available on a first-come,

first-served basis. It is strongly recommended that participants review

``Request for Comments on the Enhancement of the .us Domain Space,'' 63

Fed. Reg. 41547 (1988) (also posted at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/

ntiahome/domainname/usrfc/dotusrfc.htm), and the public comments

received in response to the RFC. These comments can be viewed at http:/

/www.ntia.doc.gov. The agenda will proceed through presentations and

panel/roundtable discussions. The public will be afforded an

opportunity to participate through question and answer/open discussion

periods as time permits.

DATES: March 9, 1999, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Department of Commerce, Room

4830, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Attendees

should use the Main Entrance on 14th Street. To facilitate entry please

have a picture ID available and/or a U.S. Government building pass if

applicable ready upon arrival.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

General: Karen Rose, NTIA/OIA, (202) 482-1866. More detailed

information regarding the agenda and other aspects of the meeting will

be made available and updated periodically at http://www.ntia.doc.gov.

The pre-registration form will also be made available at this address.

Media Inquiries: Please contact the NTIA Office of Public Affairs,

at (202) 482-7002.

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

for Comments on the Enhancement of the .us Domain Space,'' 63 Fed. Reg.

41547 (1988) (also posted at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/

domainname/usrfc/dotusrfc.htm). The .us domain is currently

administered by the Information Sciences Institute at the University of

Southern California. The RFC sought comments regarding the future

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

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

opportunity to address the issues on which NTIA solicited public

comment. See 63 Fed. Reg. 45800 (1998).

Purpose: The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the future

management and administration of the .us domain, including how .us

could be optimized or enhanced to encourage increased utilization of

the domain space.

Agenda: The tentative agenda is as follows:

1. .us Today: Overview of current management and structure of the

.us domain space.

2. .us Issues and Opportunities: A discussion of the issues and

opportunities facing the current and future management of the .us

space, with a view toward identifying possible solutions. Questions and

issues posed in the .us RFC will be explored as well as other issues

and opportunities as identified during the discussion.

3. Other Systems: An overview of the manner in which other country

code top level domains (ccTLDs) are administered. What are the current

practices and issues in the management of other ccTLDs and to what

extent such practices inform the utilization, design, and management of

.us?

4. .us RFC Proposals: Specific proposals with respect to

administering the .us domain name system submitted in response to the

.us RFC will be discussed focusing on how these proposed models

function to address the issues and opportunities associated with the

.us domain space.

5. Going Forward: A discussion on the next steps for the management

and administration of the .us space. We will attempt to summarize the

issues, opportunities, and possible solutions identified throughout the

day and focus on the possible elements, policies or other solutions

that could be implemented as part of future .us administration and

management. As part of this item, the feasibility of issuing a Request

for Proposals (RFP) for .us management and administration will be

discussed.

The agenda is subject to change. An updated, more detailed agenda

will be made prior to the meeting. Please check the NTIA website at

http://www.nita.doc.gov.

Dated: February 5, 1999.

Kathy Smith,

Acting Chief Counsel.

[FR Doc. 99-3203 Filed 2-9-99; 8:45 am]

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