[registrars] the iana function

[Rick Wesson <wessorh@ar.com>]

Registrars:

The DoC has put out a zero-dollar procurement contract for the IANA [1]
function. There are a number of parties calling on the DoC to put the IANA
function out to bid. DoC considers ICANN best to run the IANA [2]

As registrars fund a majority of the ICANN budget and the IANA function is
paid for though ICANN funding, the registrars are effectively funding the
IANA function.

Registrars do not benefit from the IANA function as its mission is to
delegate protocol number assignments, IP blocks to the RIRs and
administer ccTLD delegations.

I cannot come up with a figure for IANA expenses for 2002 as the are all
lumped into ICANN expenses as far as personnel, travel, etc. I do expect
that they are not insignificant.

I propose that the registrars encourage the DoC to put the IANA function
out to bid so that ICANN is more capable to focus on domain name issues.

there are capable parties available to bid on the IANA function and
removing the function from ICANN will reduce the amount registrars have to
subsidize a function that bares little on this industry. Remember if the
IANA goes away it will just leave registries and registrars to fund an
organization with the sole objective of domain names.

please consider these points for discussion and if the constituency so
chooses I will draft a resolution for consideration at a later date.



best,

-rick

[1] http://www.ietf.org//mail-archive/ietf/Current/msg18926.html
[2] http://www.icann.org/general/iana-contract-09feb00.htm