[Ccwg-auctionproceeds] Open Internet definition

Thu Aug 10 08:55:10 UTC 2017

Hello Erika, all

to me, Open Internet refers to the capacity for anyone to connect to the 
network with an expected quality of service (that would cover things 
like shutdown, net neutrality) but also to innovate on top of it 
(requiring open interfaces).

Connecting is important but connecting to a closed system, like AOL in 
the past, even if everyone can connect, is not good enough. Anyone 
should be able to build new applications, add content, create new 
logical layers, in an open way, that is, without asking permission. 
That's why Open Standards are paramount.

Without an Open TCP/IP stack, as delivered by IETF, no Open Web stack 
could have flourished. And without the Open Web, no DNS growth.

We can't limit our funding to just the DNS layer, as it stands directly 
on other Open layers (IP, http) that are required to function properly 
(and evolve properly) for the DNS to succeed.

Even though one could argue that the openness of the physical layer 
underlying the IP/Web/DNS layers (DSL, Fiber, Wifi, 5G, etc, done by 
IEEE, ITU) is as important, I think we need to limit our funding 
objectives to Internet middleware, that is, standards and code portable 
across physical network architecture.

On the other side of the scale, there are several Open platforms or 
applications that use DNS, Web and IP to provide reasons for people to 
connect: wikipedia, open search, open social networking, linked data 
crowdsourcing, etc., and even though I would personally like to fund 
these kinds of projects, since they constitute (along with Open 
standards)  the Commons of the Internet, I doubt this will  pass the bar 
of the ICANN mission alignment.

So to summarize, Open Internet, as far as this CCWG is concerned is IMO:
   - Not inclusive of the physical layer (however open is can be, too far 
  from ICANN mission, and not clear it needs funding)
   - Inclusive of the transport and presentation layer (TCP/IP, Web, 
directly linked to DNS operations, and needs funding)
   - Inclusive of the addressing layer (IPv6, DNS, it's ICANN core 
activities, so not clear to me  it needs funding since ICANN already has 
a healthy budget without the auctions. Isn't DNS capacity building part 
of ICANN responsibilities already ?)
   - Not inclusive of the app/platform/content layer (too far  from ICANN 
mission, although it needs funding too)
   - Inclusive of the policy layer (shutdown, net neutrality, etc., even 
though I agree with others that these are very sensitive topics that 
would position ICANN on a difficult path vs. some of its constituencies, 
e.g. the GAC, or telco/DNS players).

On 2017-08-10 08:10, Erika Mann wrote:
> Concerning: OPEN INTERNET
> 
> See below an exchange I had with Marika concerning this topic.
> 
> Our exchange might help to clarify few points ahead of our call today.
> 
> 
> Talk to you later,
> Erika
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
>> FROM: Erika Mann <erika at erikamann.com>
>> DATE: August 7, 2017 at 8:40:48 AM GMT+2
>> TO: Marika Konings <marika.konings at icann.org>
>> CC: Ching Chiao <chiao at brandma.co>, Joke Braeken
>> <joke.braeken at icann.org>, "gnso-secs at icann.org"
>> <gnso-secs at icann.org>
>> SUBJECT: RE: FOR YOUR REVIEW - OBJECTIVES & EXAMPLES MIND MAP AND
>> AGENDA FOR NEXT WEEK'S MEETING
> 
>> Good morning Marika - I added few more points below. I copied my
>> original reply and simply added few recommendation how to deal with
>> the 'open Internet' definition part.
>> 
>> I hope this helps.
>> 
>> Best,
>> Erika
>> 
>> On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 1:12 PM, Marika Konings
>> <marika.konings at icann.org> wrote:
>>> Hi Erika, Ching,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Following last week’s meeting, please find attached a first
>> attempt to roll
>>> up the top ranked objectives into an overall objective with
>> identified
>>> priorities (following the lines of my suggestion last week). In
>> addition,
>>> I’ve pulled out the examples from the survey that contained the
>> most details
>>> and as such will be easier to review for consistency with the
>> ICANN mission
>>> as well as objective(s) (once agreed).
>> 
>> As identified during the call, the
>>> concept of “Open Internet” will require definitional work or a
>> rewording.
>>> Having done a google search, the term often seems associated with
>> net
>>> neutrality which may not be what the CCWG has in mind. As such,
>> the CCWG
>>> will need to decide whether to stick with the term and provide a
>> definition
>>> or whether it prefers to describe what is intended with the term
>> Open
>>> Internet. Although the other objectives have been excluded as
>> specific
>>> priorities, one could envision how projects that may focus on some
>> of those
>>> areas could also fit within the currently identified priorities.
>> As also
>>> discussed, the topic of replenishing the reserve fund will need to
>> be
>>> considered separately. It is up to you to decide whether that is a
>>> discussion you want to have now or to park for later.
>>> 
>>> EM = Just a quick word of caution. You find in Google always more
>> those connections that are currently more researched and not those
>> that reflect upon a broader and more precise context.
>> Net neutrality is currently hotly debated in the US and the term
>> open Internet is often used to describe that telcos shall not be
>> allowed to give preferential access to certain players.
>> There are other environments that are closer to ICANN (open Internet
>> and open source for example) that might present some good examples
>> for investment opportunities, for example in the DNS and security
>> environment (Ash could talk about this).
>> We therefore need some examples for our environment. (copied from
>> the email I send to you already)
>> 
>> What to do?
>> 
>> 1) definition of 'open Internet' in relation to ICANN's mission and
>> in relation to the work of the future fund could/should have various
>> dimensions:
>> 
>> * historical preamble: The DNS serves from it's early days an open
>> Internet in the sense ...
>> * positive definition: The 'fund' shall be able to support projects
>> that support an open Internet culture in the sense that projects
>> related to open source developments for the DNS are (for example)
>> allowed to apply ...
>> * negative definition: The 'fund' shall not support projects that
>> don't relate in any way to ICANN's mission and the development of
>> the DNS
>> * examples: lastly provide few examples about what is meant (DNS
>> software and security for example) to guide future project examiners
>> 
>> 
>>> 
>>> I’ll be out on vacation until 11 August, but will have
>> intermittent access
>>> to email so I will be able to include any edits / suggestions you
>> may have.
>>> My suggestion would be that you provide your feedback by Thursday
>> 3 August
>>> at the latest so this can be sent to the CCWG by Friday at the
>> latest so
>>> there is sufficient time for review and feedback prior to next
>> week’s
>>> meeting.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> With regards to the agenda for next week’s meeting, it appears
>> pretty
>>> straightforward:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Roll Call
>>> Welcome – DOI
>>> Overview from Xavier Calvez on investment management
>>> Review responses to charter question #4 and discuss next steps
>> (see
>>> https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-6GNDQHJ6/)
>>> Review redrafted objectives and examples (see mind map attached)
>>> Confirm next steps & next meeting (next CCWG-AP meeting is
>> scheduled for
>>> Thursday 24 August at 16.00 UTC)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Please let us know if you agree. If so, we’ll go ahead and
>> cancel our prep
>>> call. Joke will take care of getting this out to the CCWG early
>> next week.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Looking forward to receiving your feedback.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Best regards,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Marika
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Marika Konings
>>> 
>>> Vice President, Policy Development Support – GNSO, Internet
>> Corporation for
>>> Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
>>> 
>>> Email: marika.konings at icann.org
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Follow the GNSO via Twitter @ICANN_GNSO
>>> 
>>> Find out more about the GNSO by taking our interactive courses and
>> visiting
>>> the GNSO Newcomer pages.
>>> 
>>> 
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