For some time there’s been a possibility of the functions of ICANN being subsumed by the ITU, but it appears that’s not going to happen:

The Internet should continue to be overseen by major agencies including ICANN and the ITU, rather than any new “superstructure,” the new head of the International Telecommunications Union said on Friday.

Hamadoun Toure, who took up the reins of the United Nations agency this month, said the ITU would focus on tackling cyber-security and in narrowing the “digital divide” between rich and poor countries.

Internet should be run by key players: new ITU boss Reuters, Fri Jan 12, 1:04 PM ET

I’m not a big fan of ICANN, but its best feature is exactly its worst feature: it doesn’t get much done, so it doesn’t do much harm. Continue reading →