The Honorable David A. Gross U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy Department of State 2201 C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20520 Dear Ambassador Gross: The convergence of telecommunications and computing technologies is once again presenting the United States with an important decision that will impact how our nation will maintain its world leadership in technology policy. We currently have the opportunity to participate or "opt in" to the new global domain set aside for electronic numbering (ENUM), e164.arpa. Because of the potential benefits of ENUM, the Department of Commerce through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) believes that the United States should seize this opportunity and take steps to participate in e164.arpa, consistent with the highest standards of security, competition, and privacy. As a mapping protocol that links the Internet and telephony platforms through a single identifier, ENUM has the potential to facilitate convergence of communications networks by linking e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, and cell phone numbers for individuals or businesses. To date, thirteen International Telecommunication Union (ITU) member nations, including the United Kingdom, have opted into e164.arpa and are beginning to establish trials to provide ENUM services. The United States has been supportive of ITU work in this area, recognizing that using ENUM through a globally coordinated domain may provide efficiencies and opportunities for global interconnectivity that could benefit both industry and users. As you recall, during the September 2001 Study Group 2 meeting, the United States expressed our support for the ITU's work regarding RFC 2916, the proposed standard for ENUM, which designates e164.arpa as the top-level domain of the ENUM tree. While NTIA recommends that the State Department continue to support work at the ITU to reach conclusion on the ENUM Recommendations and Supplement, the time has come for the United States to be more active on this issue. Specifically, the United States should move quickly to address certain key preliminary issues regarding U.S. implementation of ENUM and, if resolved satisfactorily, then formally opt in to e164.arpa. On the domestic side, we must ensure that ENUM can be implemented in a pro-consumer, secure, and competitive manner. In August 2002, NTIA held a forum on ENUM at which industry and non-profit entities discussed the various benefits and challenges of this new technology. There was strong consensus among the forum participants in favor of the United States opting in to e164.arpa, but only if ENUM can be implemented in a way that ensures competition, interoperability, security, and privacy. Keeping this view in mind, we have developed principles to guide domestic implementation of ENUM. The following principles have strong roots in proven telecommunications and technology policies and are intended to maximize opportunities for industry, while protecting the security and privacy of consumers in the United States:
Before opting in to e164.arpa, we must ensure that ENUM can be implemented domestically in a manner consistent with the above principles. These factors also should play a role in the selection of Tier 1 operator(s). NTIA is committed to working with the Department of State and the relevant agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to ensure that ENUM can be implemented in this manner. Internationally, the ITU procedures to opt in require that each Member State enter its specific country code (or portion of a country code) into the ENUM tree. The United States will need to determine how best to coordinate this process with the nineteen nations in Country Code 1. Once these implementation issues are resolved, the Department of State would make any necessary notifications regarding the United States' decision to opt in. Industry can then establish trials and begin to provide ENUM services to U.S. businesses and consumers. NTIA is committed to working diligently to resolve these implementation issues with the FCC and the Department of State. These three agencies are beginning a series of meetings to establish processes to determine how to resolve both the domestic and international questions. I look forward to working with you and Chairman Powell to ensure a successful multilateral and domestic review of ENUM so that we can soon begin to reap the benefits of ENUM within the United States. Sincerely,
Nancy J. Victory cc: Chairman Michael K. Powell
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