Possible gaps in dealing with the DNS Some submissions to WGEC/correspondence group have suggested that the main policy gap derives from the way coordination of the DNS is designed. The process of changing this was initiated by an announcement made by the US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on 14 March 2014 of its intent to transition key internet domain name functions to the global multistakeholder community8. Another policy gap that has been referred to in some of the submissions to WGEC/correspondence group has been the status of governments in the current decisionmaking structure of ICANN. However, there is no consensus on this issue. Whereas some view governments' role through the Government Advisory Council (GAC) insufficient and point out that formally speaking, the role is only advisory, others are of the opinion that in practice, governments play an important role and there are formal procedures in place for cases where the ICANN Board disagrees with GAC advice. 2.6 Root zone The root zone is the top level of the hierarchically organised DNS (the so-called Internet address book). It ensures the functional integrity of the Internet. It consists of 13 root servers (10 in the USA and one each in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Japan). In addition, there are some 200 copies of the root zone servers around the world (called ‘anycast’ servers). Status of governance mechanisms for the root zone Governance of the root zone has been one of the most controversial issues in the international Internet policy debate. The main point raising divergent views has been about the USA’s historical role in the supervision of the root zone and ICANN. On 14 March 2014, the US government announced that it would pass its supervisory function of the root zone to a multistakeholder global entity. The process of transition, including public consultations, is underway. Possible gaps in dealing with the root zone Some inputs to WGEC have highlighted the oversight of the IANA function as one of the main policy gaps in the current arrangement for the root zone. However, there is no global consensus on this issue. 8 http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2014/ntia-announces-intent-transition-key-internet-domain-namefunctions 12