An Analysis of Internet Standardization

Marcus Maher

1/01/2005
(Original Publish Date: 1998)

In light of the informal role the US government currently plays in Internet governance and the need for Internet standards, this article describes how private standards setting bodies have taken a major role in determining how the Internet will develop in the future. The author argues that a more formal role for government may be necessary in order to ensure that the technologies which underly the Internet do not hinder its development. The article first presents a history of the Internet. Next, the author describes some of the precursors to standards development, the impact of organizations on standards, characteristics for successful standards development organizations and benefits of government involvement in the standards development process. Part III of the article discusses standards development and standards organizations in the context of the Internet, looking specifically at six categories of Internet standards (security, ecommerce, other applications and services, protocol, domain names and infrastructure). Ultimately, the author argues that increased government involvement with Internet standards development organizations may be critical to maintain the Internet's dramatic pace of growth and development by helping to ensure representation of varied interests and addressing certain potential shortcomings of existing standards development organizations.