US questions net overhaul plans

Icann oversees much of the basic functionality of the net

Plans to offer hundreds of new web addresses as alternatives to .com have been criticised by the US government.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which oversees net addresses has floated plans for the radical change to the existing system.

But the US Commerce department has questioned both the benefits and the costs of such a scheme.

Officials have also raised concerns about whether the plans will destabilise the current system.

Clear rationale

The US government's response includes two letters sent separately by officials raising concerns about the plans.

In a letter sent last week, Commerce Department official Meredith Baker questioned Icann's proposed pricings for the new addresses.

The net body planned to offer between 200 and 800 new addresses for sale at $185,000 (