Domain Names & ICANN

The domain name system (DNS) is a key piece of the internet's infrastructure. Without the DNS, internet users would have to remember long and complicated numbers (called IP numbers) when they send an e-mail or visit a web-site. The DNS maps these numbers onto words or characters - called domain names - making internet addresses easier to remember.

ICANN is the US based not-for-profit organisation that co-ordinates the DNS worldwide.

The UK Government has followed the progress of ICANN closely since it was created in 1998. We are a member of the ICANN Government Advisory Committee (GAC) that provides advice to ICANN on public policy matters. In February 2002 ICANN called for full reform of its mission, funding and relationship with Governments. We, along with other Governments and stakeholders, are working closely with ICANN on its informal reform process. In June 2002 the Government closed the consultation on ICANN, the formal Government response is available here (120Kb).

ENUM

ENUM (electronic number mapping) is a key development in the convergence process of telecommunications and Internet Protocol (IP) networks.  ENUM can give customers access to any services (Phone, Mobile, e-Mail etc) associated with the called number.

An industry working group for the UK, known as the United Kingdom ENUM Group (UKEG), was launched with the full support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in September 2001.  Trials on ENUM were carried out during 2003/2004.  For further information on the work of UKEG and the trials, go to the Group’s website (see ‘Related external sites’).

On 10 August 2004, DTI announced a public consultation on the arrangements proposed for the management of ENUM in the UK.  For details, please go to: http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-1230.html

As part of this consultation process and to allow for more detailed discussions, DTI intends to hold a public workshop for potential stakeholders and others with a general interest in the subject on 29 September 2004 from 2pm – 5pm at:

DTI Conference Centre,
1 Victoria Street,
LONDON,
SW1H 0ET. 

See map at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/about_dti_maps.html#map1 for location information.  The DTI Conference Centre should not be confused with the nearby Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre).

If you wish to take part, please book as early as possible, by emailing enum.consultation@dti.gsi.gov.uk.  All registrations will be confirmed.  Please note that it may be necessary to limit the number attending from any one organisation.

For further information on the ENUM project, see the DTI's ENUM (ELECTRONIC NUMBER MAPPING) REPORT in the Downloads Section of this website.