Today, Neustar Inc. (NYSE:NSR) applauded the United State’s decision to transition management responsibility for key Internet domain name functions – currently provided by ICANN under contract to the Department of Commerce - to the global multi-stakeholder community. As the registry operator for .us, the US country code top-level domain, and the .biz top-level domain, and as the registry services provider for many new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), Neustar relies on the stable and reliable delivery of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions that are the subject of this announcement.

“As an early participant in and supporter of the ICANN process, Neustar welcomes this decision,” said Lisa Hook, Neustar’s CEO.

In making this announcement, NTIA called upon ICANN to work collaboratively with affected stakeholders to develop a transition plan that supports and enhances the multi-stakeholder model, preserves the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet domain name system, and serves global consumers of IANA services. Said Hook, “We share the US government’s view that the time has come for ICANN to convene global stakeholders to develop the policies, procedures, and accountability framework needed to transition ultimate responsibility for the IANA functions, and we look forward to participating in that process.”

“NTIA’s announcement marks the beginning of the final phase of a process envisioned in 1998, when the US government issued the White Paper on DNS management,” said Neustar’s Deputy General Counsel, Becky Burr, who served as the director of NTIA’s Office of International Affairs at the time. “To paraphrase Jon Postel: 'there’s still a lot of work to do in these interesting times we live in.' Neustar looks forward to working with all stakeholders through ICANN to take this important step in Internet governance.”

About Neustar

Neustar, Inc. (NYSE: NSR) is a trusted, neutral provider of real-time information and analytics to the communications services, financial services, retail, and media and advertising sectors. Neustar applies its advanced, secure technologies to help its clients promote and protect their businesses. More information is available at www.neustar.biz.