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In particular, reports the BBC, the debate centres on the Internet's root servers that hold a list of where the details of top level domains (TLDs) (such as .com and .uk) can be found. The servers route a URL query from a PC to the relevant registrar's servers that hold the address of the Web page being sought.

However, while registrars pay a fee to ICANN

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(Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which has the responsibility for ensuring the smooth running of the root servers, ICANN actually has very little control over them. There is no contract or guarantee between ICANN and the various registrars that would ensure levels of service, security, reliability or compensation should a server crash.

Now the TLD registrars are demanding that ICANN offers such a contract to guarantee levels of service in return for the fees it levies. It is a demand with which ICANN is refusing to comply because of the potentially huge insurance risk - with the value of online transactions reaching billions of dollars each year.

Even the EU and national governments have expressed concern over the arrangements concerning these root servers, and some registrars are threatening to with-hold fees unless a proper agreement is reached and the exact role of ICANN is examined.