David Redl resigns from NTIA

Man who gave green light to .com price increases is moving on.

David Redl has abruptly resigned from his post as Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

He served just 18 months in the position.

During that time he negotiated a revised agreement with Verisign over the .com contract. The agreement allows Verisign to increase the wholesale price of .com domain names by 7% per year in four out of six years pending approval from ICANN.

He was a regular fixture at ICANN conferences where he lobbied for access to domain name Whois records.

Redl’s confirmation to the post was delayed a number of times by Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Cruz, who was opposed to the U.S. cutting contractual ties with ICANN, was unhappy with Redl’s acquiescence to the handover that happened prior to his appointment.

Diane Rinaldo is taking over as acting administrator.