A CLOSER LOOK AT THE INTERNET'S STANDARDS SETTING PROCESS.

The Internet has emerged as a crucial part of the Global Information Infrastructure. This is not least due to the remarkable longevity and versatility of some of its protocols. Accordingly, there have been many claims that the standards setting process adopted by the Internet community is vastly superior to those of the more 'traditional' standards setting bodies, such as ISO and ITU. An adequate standards setting process would indeed be most desirable to ensure the Internet's future. Yet, in the light of the massive financial interests that are now at stake here, this paper voices some concerns. A brief general description of the process adopted by the IETF is followed by a critical look at some of the more noteworthy characteristics of this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]