RIR Comparative Policy Overview 2017-01

28 Apr 2017

RIR Comparative Policy Overview (version 2017-01)

(version 2017-01)

The goal of this document is to provide a comparative overview of policies across the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) system. It is not a policy statement by the RIRs, but serves as a reference for the Internet community. While this document was accurate on the date of publication, it may be outdated by subsequent policy implementations. The official policy documents can be found at the respective websites of the RIRs. This is a public document that will be reviewed and revised quarterly through the coordinated efforts of the RIRs.

For more information, refer to the AFRINIC, APNIC, ARIN, LACNIC, and RIPE NCC websites.

1. General

1.1 Goals of the RIR System

RIR	Policy
AFRINIC APNIC ARIN LACNIC RIPE NCC	All allocations and assignments of Internet resources must be consistent with the goals of the Internet Registry system: aggregation, conservation and registration.

RIR	Category	Policy
AFRINIC	Qualification	Membership is open only to organizations or persons legally present and providing services in the AFRINIC service region.
	Access to delegation and registration services	Registration service is available to members only. AFRINIC manages and distributes Internet Number Resources for its service region only. AFRINIC requires organizations/persons to be legally present and the infrastructure from which the services are originating must be located in the AFRINIC service region. The need for IP resources shall also be demonstrated
	Fee model	Not-for profit. Fee established to enable cost recovery of operations.
APNIC	Qualification	Membership is open to all organizations and individuals.
	Access to delegation and registration services	APNIC delegates resources only to organizations, which are legally present, or have networks located in the APNIC region. Organizations located outside the APNIC service region must use resources delegated by APNIC within the service region. APNIC permits organizations located within the APNIC service region to use APNIC delegated resources out of region. Members have full access to all services. Non-member account holders have full access to all services, except member’s voting activities. Non-member historical maintenance account holders have access to maintenance of their historical resource information only.
	Fee model	Not-for-profit. Fee schedule established to enable cost recovery of operations.
ARIN	Qualification	Membership is open only to organizations legally present in the ARIN service region. Organizations that receive direct allocations automatically become members. Membership is also open to organizations with direct assignments, or ARIN issued Autonomous System Numbers. Entities with a signed LRSA / RSA and Internet number resources from ARIN (end users, for example) may become members by filling out the application and paying an annual $500 membership fee or requesting to enroll in ARIN’s Registration Services Plan.
	Access to delegation and registration services	Do not need to be a member to receive registration services. ARIN manages and distributes Internet number resources within its region. To receive resources, ARIN requests organizations to verify that: It has a legally recognized business operation within the ARIN region; It plans on using the resources within the ARIN region and, with regard to IPv4 and IPv6, routing the least-specific prefix within the ARIN region; and It has technical infrastructure located within the ARIN region.
	Fee model	Not-for-profit. Fee schedule established to enable cost recovery of operations.
LACNIC	Qualification	Membership is open to LACNIC region only, without conditions.
	Access to delegation and registration services	Numbering resources under the stewardship of LACNIC must be distributed among organizations legally constituted within its service region and mainly serving networks and services operating in this region. LACNIC requires organizations to be legally present and have network infrastructure in the LACNIC service region to apply for and receive resources. Organizations approved for IP addresses automatically become members. It is not necessary to become a member to obtain some services, like ASN assignments. External clients connected directly to main infrastructure located in the region are allowed.
	Fee model	Not-for-profit. Fee schedule established to enable cost recovery of operations.
RIPE NCC	Qualification	Membership is open without conditions.
	Access to delegation and registration services	Access to registration services is available to members only. Legacy resource holders who have a non-member service contract with the RIPE NCC can also access some registration services. The RIPE NCC delegates or registers resources to organizations and individuals that have a need in its service region. The network that will be using the resources must have an active element located in the RIPE NCC service region.
	Fee model	Not-for-profit. Fee schedule established to enable cost recovery of operations.

RIR	Policy
AFRINIC	Valid as long as original criteria remain satisfied.
APNIC	Allocates and assigns on a “license” basis, to be of specific limited duration (normally 1 year). Licenses are renewable if: The original basis of the allocation or assignment remains valid, and Requirements have been met at time of renewal.
ARIN	Valid as long as organization remains in compliance with policy and registration fees are kept up to date.
LACNIC	Valid as long as original criteria remain satisfied and registration fees are kept up to date.
RIPE NCC	Valid as long as original criteria remain satisfied.

RIR	Policy
AFRINIC	Does not allow sale of addresses, but recognises name changes and transfers of tangible assets associated with addresses. Requires submission of legal documents. Utilization is verified. May require new agreement.
APNIC	APNIC recognizes resource transfers under the following conditions: Historical resources may be transferred to an APNIC Member account. Transfers are purely optional and do not need to meet any technical justifications. APNIC recognizes transfers of AS numbers and IPv4 address blocks of /24 or greater between APNIC account holders. Recipients are required to justify their need for the resources. Transfers of AS numbers and IPv4 address blocks of a /24 or greater are recognized between APNIC account holders and account holders in other regions, only where that region has a suitable Inter-RIR transfer policy. The APNIC account holder must meet the requirements of APNIC policy and the entity in the other region must meet the policy requirements and criteria in its own region. If the recipient is in the APNIC region, they are required to justify their need for the resources. APNIC recognizes the transfer of any numeric resource resulting from mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers, where the effect of the new ownership is that an LIR changes its name. Supporting legal documentation is required, as is full disclosure of all address space held by all entities involved.
ARIN	IPv4 number resources and ASNs within the ARIN region may be released to ARIN by the authorized resource holder, in whole or in part, for transfer to another specified organizational recipient. Organizations without direct assignments or allocations from ARIN qualify for transfer of an initial IPv4 block of ARIN’s minimum transfer size. Organizations may qualify for the transfer of a larger initial block, or an additional block, by providing documentation to ARIN which details the use of at least 50% of the requested IPv4 block size within 24 months. An officer of the organization shall attest to the documentation provided to ARIN. The recipient must demonstrate the need for up to a 24-month supply of IP address resources under current ARIN policies and sign an RSA. Reserved pool resources are ineligible. Inter-regional transfers of IPv4 number resources may take place only via RIRs who agree to the transfer and share reciprocal, compatible, needs-based policies. ARIN also recognizes name changes and transfers due to mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations. Requires documentation and demonstration of need.
LACNIC	Internet resources assigned by LACNIC may be the object of transfers within the LACNIC service region. Such transfers will be acknowledged provided that they fall within the following situations: Transfer due to merger, acquisition or change of name This is the case when one Organization absorbs another, including the purchase of its assets and liabilities. It is also the case when one Organization merges with another or simply when an existing Organization changes its name. In any of the cases above, the applicant must submit supporting legal documentation. More information in section 2.3.2.17 of the Policy Manual. Other transfers of IPv4 resources within LACNIC service region This type of transfer occurs when the operation involves IPv4 blocks only, not the merger or acquisition of an entire organization. In this situation, in addition to submitting a transfer form, both the offering and the receiving Organizations must meet some requirements and agree with the terms established in the LACNIC policies More information in section 2.3.2.18 of the Policy Manual. Note: Inter-RIR transfers (i.e., transfers outside the LACNIC service region) are not allowed.
RIPE NCC	Member LIRs can transfer complete or partial blocks of IPv4 and IPv6 address space that was previously allocated to them by either the RIPE NCC or the IANA within the RIPE NCC service region. The receiving LIR must confirm it will make assignment(s) from the allocation. Resource holders of IPv4 Provider Independent (PI) and IPv6 PI space that was previously assigned to them by the RIPE NCC can also transfer complete or partial blocks within the RIPE NCC service region. When transferring PI space, the recipient of the transfer must confirm a specific intended purpose for the resources in order to receive the reassignment. Scarce resources, which are understood as those resources that are allocated or assigned by the RIPE NCC on a restricted basis (such as IPv4 or 16-bit ASNs), cannot be transferred for 24 months from the date the resource was received by the resource holder. This restriction also applies if the resource was received due to a change in the organisation’s business (such as a merger or acquisition). This restriction does not prevent the resources from being transferred due to further mergers or acquisitions within the 24-month period. Inter-RIR transfers of any type of Internet number resource are possible if both RIRs have compatible transfer policies. For transfers to the RIPE NCC service region from RIRs that have needs-based policies, recipients must provide the RIPE NCC with a plan for the use of at least 50% of the transferred resources within five years. RIPE NCC also recognizes name changes and transfers of tangible assets associated with addresses. This requires the submission of legal documentation. Utilization is verified. This may also require new agreement.

RIR	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC RIPE NCC	Valid as long as original criteria remain satisfied.	Do not actively recover unused resources, but if an organization closes, unused resources are returned to the public pool.
APNIC LACNIC	Valid as long as original criteria remain satisfied.	Has policy to actively recover ‘unused’ networks. If an organization ceases operation, unused resources are returned to the public pool.
ARIN	Organizations found by ARIN to be materially out of compliance with current ARIN policy shall be requested or required to return resources as needed to bring them into (or reasonably close to) compliance.	–

RIR	Category	Policy
AFRINIC	Size	Slow start: /22 (can be exceeded when justified by requester).
	Eligibility	The requesting organization must show an existing efficient utilization of IP addresses from their upstream provider or an immediate need of IP addresses. Justification may be based on a combination of immediate need and existing usage.
	Period	1 year.
APNIC	Size	New APNIC account holders are eligible to receive a maximum /22 worth of address space from the remaining IPv4 address pool. They may join a waiting list for subsequent allocation of an additional /22 maximum.
	Eligibility	Membership or pay non-member fee; Have previously used or can demonstrate immediate need for /24; Complied with policies in managing all previous address space; Detailed plan for use of a /23 within a year;
	Period	1 year.
ARIN	Size	Slow start: up to a /21, subject to ARIN’s minimum allocation size. Organizations may qualify for a larger initial allocation by documenting how the requested allocation will be utilized within 24 months. ISPs renumbering out of their previous address space will be given a reasonable amount of time to do so, and any blocks they are returning will not count against their utilization.
	Eligibility	Have a /24 or equivalent reassigned by the upstream provider via SWIP or RWhois.
	Period	24 months.
LACNIC	Size	Slow start: /22, otherwise /21 (can be exceeded when documented immediate need exceeds /21).
	Eligibility	For a /22: Current use or documented need of a /24; submit a detailed one-year utilization plan for a /23; agree to renumber out of the previously assigned block and return those IPv4 addresses to their ISPs no later than 12 months after the allocation of the /22; if the applicant does not already have an IPv6 block assigned by LACNIC, simultaneously request an IPv6 block in accordance with the corresponding applicable policy. or For a /21: Must provide information on assignments with prefixes equal to or shorter than /29 (more than 8 IPv4 addresses) on LACNIC’s WHOIS database; must provide documentation that justifies the initial address space allocation (This must include detailed information showing how this resource will be used within a period of three, six and twelve months); must agree to renumber out of the blocks obtained from their providers within a period no longer than 12 months and return the space to its original provider; if the applicant does not already have an IPv6 block assigned by LACNIC, simultaneously request an IPv6 block in accordance with the corresponding applicable policy. If the applicant is a multihomed ISP: Efficient utilization of at least 25% of the requested address space (contiguous or not).If the applicant is a non-multihomed ISP: Efficient utilization of at least a 50% of the requested address space (contiguous or not).
	Period	12 months.
RIPE NCC	Size	From Friday, 14 September 2012, new and existing RIPE NCC members are eligible to receive one /22 from the last /8.
	Eligibility	Membership; LIR confirms it will make assignment(s) from the allocation
	Period	No limit.

RIR	Category	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	Size	Minimum /22, no maximum.	–
	Eligibility	Demonstrate 80% efficient utilization of last allocated space or an immediate need that requires more IP addresses than are available in the most recent allocation.	–
	Period	Up to 1 year.	–
APNIC	Size	Account holders who have not received address space from the ‘final /8’ [103/8 block] may request up to a maximum /22 from that block. Additionally, each member may join a waiting list to receive a maximum /22 from the APNIC recovered IP address pool.	New and existing APNIC account holders are able to receive a maximum /22 from the 103/8 IPv4 address pool. New and existing APNIC account holders are able to receive a maximum /22 from the 103/8 pool. Once they have reached that limit, they may join a waiting list for subsequent delegations, up to a maximum /22, from the non-103/8 [recovered] address pool.
	Eligibility	Demonstrate 80% efficient utilization of all prior allocated space.	–
	Period	Up to 1 year.	–
ARIN	Size	/24	–
	Eligibility	Demonstrate efficient utilization of all allocations, in aggregate, to at least 80% and at least 50% of every allocation in order to receive additional space.	–
	Period	3 months.	–
LACNIC	Size	The policy for determining the size of additional allocations is based on the efficient utilization of space within a time frame of 12 months.	–
	Eligibility	Demonstrate 80% efficient utilization of all prior allocated space. The applicant must already have at least one IPv6 block assigned by LACNIC or, if not, must simultaneously request an initial IPv6 block in accordance with the corresponding applicable policy. If an applicant has already been assigned an IPv6 block, they shall submit to LACNIC a brief document describing their progress in the implementation of IPv6.	–
	Period	12 months.	–
RIPE NCC	Size	/22	–
	Eligibility	LIR confirms it will make assignment(s) from the allocation; LIR has not received before a /22 from the last /8	–
	Period	No Limit.	–

RIR	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	LIRs may sub-allocate addresses to other organizations, which further assign addresses to End Users. LIRs also assign addresses. Sub-allocations are subject to the “Sub-Allocation Window” procedure.	–
APNIC	LIRs may sub-allocate addresses to other organizations, which further assign addresses to end-users. LIRs also assign addresses. Sub-allocations are subject to the “Assignment Window” procedure.	See section 2.5.1 “Assignment Window” below.
ARIN	ISPs may sub-allocate addresses to other organizations, which further assign addresses to End Users.	–
LACNIC	RIR allocates and assigns IP blocks to organizations that can be ISPs, End Users or National Internet Registries, (NIRs – see section 7). NIRs allocate and assign IP blocks to organizations in their countries. ISPs may sub-allocate IP blocks to other ISPs or assign them to End Users.	–
RIPE NCC	LIRs may sub-allocate addresses to other organizations, which further assign addresses to End Users.	–

RIR	Category	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	Size	/24 minimum, no maximum.	–
AFRINIC	Eligibility	Must be an AFRINIC member Must EITHER show an existing utilization of /25 from their upstream/ISP, or Justify that at least 50% of the total 1-year requirement is needed immediately.	–
APNIC	Size	Minimum /24, maximum /22 each from the final /8 pool and the IPv4 recovered addresses pool.	In APNIC IPv4 policy there is no distinction between allocation or assignment. Both are designated as delegations.
APNIC	Eligibility	An organization is eligible to receive an IPv4 delegation if: it is currently multihomed, or it is currently using at least a /24 from its upstream provider and intends to be multihomed, or it intends to be multihomed, and advertise the prefixes within 6 months Organizations requesting a delegation under these terms must demonstrate they are able to use 25% of the requested addresses immediately and 50% within one year.
ARIN	Size	/24, no maximum.	Known as ‘end-user’ assignments.
ARIN	Eligibility	Assignments will be made according to the following criterion: 50% utilization rate within one year. Organizations may qualify for a larger initial allocation by providing appropriate details to verify their 24-month growth projection.	Known as ‘end-user’ assignments.
LACNIC	Size	/24 minimum, no maximum.	Must agree to renumber out of all the blocks allocated by providers within a period of 3 months and return the space to its original provider; if the applicant does not already have an IPv6 block assigned by LACNIC, simultaneously request an IPv6 block in accordance with the corresponding applicable policy.
LACNIC	Eligibility	Multihomed End Users may receive a minimum of /24 based on: 25% immediate utilization rate of the requested block. 50% utilization rate of the requested block within one year. Single-home End Users may apply, for at least a /20, based on previous assignments of /21 from upstream providers.
RIPE NCC	Size	Not applicable.	From Friday, 14 September 2012 the RIPE NCC no longer allocates or assigns PI address space, except for assignments to Internet Exchange Points.
RIPE NCC	Eligibility	–

RIR	Category	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	Definition	Public IXPs and root DNS service providers.	Portable space can be obtained by submitting a request directly to AFRINIC.
	Size	/24 minimum, more if justified.
	Eligibility	No specific criteria defined.
APNIC	Definition	Root DNS, ccTLD, gTLD, IANA, RIRs, NIRs.	–
	Size	/24 minimum.
	Eligibility	Delegations to critical infrastructure are available only to the actual operators of the network infrastructure performing such functions.
ARIN	Definition	Public IXPs, Root DNS, and ccTLD providers, IANA, RIRs.	–
	Size	/24 minimum.
	Eligibility	Assignments to critical infrastructure are available only to the actual operators of the network infrastructure performing such functions.
LACNIC	Definition	Root DNS, ccTLD, gTLD, IANA, RIRs.	Requested via the ‘micro-allocations’ policy. LACNIC creates an IPv4 reserve equivalent to a /15. This reserve will be used once the address space for Phase 3 of the regional IPv4 Exhaustion Plan runs out.
	Size	/24 minimum, /22 maximum.
	Eligibility	Assignments to critical infrastructure are available only to the actual operators of the network infrastructure performing such functions. If the applicant does not already have an IPv6 block assigned by LACNIC, simultaneously request an IPv6 block in accordance with the corresponding applicable policy. LACNIC will create an IPv4 reserve equivalent to a /15 that will be used once the address space for Phase 3 of the regional IPv4 Exhaustion Plan runs out. This will be to facilitate the deployment of infrastructure considered to be critical or essential for the operation of the Internet in the region.
RIPE NCC	Definition	Not applicable.	From Friday, 14 September 2012 the RIPE NCC no longer allocates or assigns address space for Anycasting ccTLD, gTLD, ENUM.
	Size	–
	Eligibility	–

RIR	Category	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	Size	/24.	Portable space can be obtained by submitting a request directly to AFRINIC.
AFRINIC	Eligibility	Minimum number of three peers connected Open policy for anyone to connect/peer. A /16 block is reserved for IXP peering LANs.
APNIC	Size	/24 minimum assignment.	There is no restriction on routing prefixes assigned under this policy.
APNIC	Eligibility	Must be an IXP. 6The number of ISPs connected should be at least three and there must be a clear and open policy for others to join.
ARIN	Size	/24 minimum assignment.	Requested via the ‘micro-allocations’ policy.
ARIN	Eligibility	Exchange point operators must provide justification for the allocation, including: connection policy, location, other participants (minimum of three total), ASN, and contact information.	Requested via the ‘micro-allocations’ policy.
LACNIC	Size	/24 minimum, /20 maximum.	Requested via the ‘micro-allocations’ policy.Organizations receiving micro-assignments shall not sub-assign these IPv4 addresses.
LACNIC	Eligibility	Exchange point operators must provide documentation showing that it is an IXP, list of participants, structure diagram and numbering plan. The organization shall have at least three members and an open policy for the association of new members. It must also provide a utilization plan for the following three and six months. If the applicant does not already have an IPv6 block assigned by LACNIC, simultaneously request an IPv6 block in accordance with the corresponding applicable policy.
RIPE NCC	Size	/24 minimum, /22 maximum.	A /16 will be held in reserve for exclusive use by Internet Exchange Points (IXPs).
RIPE NCC	Eligibility	Organizations receiving space under this policy must be IXPs. Assignments will only be made to IXPs who have already applied for, or received an IPv6 assignment for their peering LAN. New IXPs will be assigned a /24. Should they require a larger assignment, they must return their current assignment (or existing PI used as an IXP peering LAN) and receive a replacement /23 or /22. After one year the utilization of the new assignment must be at least 50%, unless special circumstances are defined.

RIR	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC ARIN	Not applicable.	Assignment practices are audited by RIR staff at time of request for additional resources.
APNIC LACNIC	LIRs/ISPs need approval from the RIR when making assignments larger than their Assignment Window. This is the number of addresses an LIR/ISP can assign without prior approval. The RIR sets the assignment window according to the LIR’s/ISP’s level of experience with the policies.	APNIC does not have assignment windows on infrastructure.
RIPE NCC	Not applicable.	LIRs can set their own rules on assignment period and utilization. They are not required to complete a forecast-based documentation of need when requesting IPv4 allocations from the RIPE NCC.

RIR	Category	Policy
AFRINIC	Size	See below.
AFRINIC	Eligibility	EXHAUSTION PHASE 1: The maximum allocation size will change from /10 to /13. Allocations and assignments will be made from the final /8 until no more than a /11 of non-reserved space is available in the final /8. At this point the Exhaustion Phase 2 will begin. EXHAUSTION PHASE 2: The minimum allocation/assignment size will be /24, and the maximum will be /22 per allocation/assignment. There is no explicit limit on the number of times an organization may request additional IPv4 address space during the Exhaustion Phase. The current allocation and assignment period of 12 months shall be changed to 8 months.
APNIC	Size	/24 up to a maximum of /22.
APNIC	Eligibility	Since APNIC reached an equivalent of a /8 remaining in the APNIC pool on 14 April 2011: Each account holder (current and future) will be eligible to request and receive delegations up to a maximum of /22 from the remaining space, providing the account holder meets the criteria for receiving an initial or subsequent IPv4 delegation. A /16 will be held in reserve for future uses, as yet unforeseen. If the reserved /16 remains unused by the time the rest of the remaining /8 worth of space has been allocated, the /16 will be returned to the APNIC pool for distribution under the policy described in the point above.
ARIN	Size	/28 minimum, /24 maximum.
ARIN	Eligibility	Allocations and assignments are from a reserved /10 and must be justified by immediate IPv6 requirements.
LACNIC	Size	/24 up to a maximum of /22.
LACNIC	Eligibility	LACNIC will create a reserve of the last available space which will consist of IPv4 block post exhaustion allocated by IANA plus recovered and returned IPv4 blocks. Allocations and assignments from this pool will ONLY be done to NEW MEMBERS. IPv4 address requests classified as critical infrastructure according to the LACNIC policies in force may receive addresses, even if they have already been assigned IPv4 resources by LACNIC. LACNIC may only make IPv4 allocations or assignments greater than or equal to a /24 and smaller than or equal to /22, IPv4 address blocks larger than a /22 pending approval may only receive a /22, when this reserve is reached. No further allocations or assignments will be possible after receiving resources under this policy, unless more resources are assigned from IANA. Blocks or sub-blocks received under this policy may not be transferred for a period of one year. If the applicant does not already have an IPv6 address block assigned by LACNIC, it must also request an IPv6 address block in accordance with the corresponding applicable policy. The reserve created under section 11.2 is independent from the reserve created under this policy. LACNIC will reserve an equivalent to another /10 block of IPv4 addresses for the purpose of achieving gradual exhaustion of IPv4 resources within the LACNIC region. LACNIC may only make IPv4 allocations or assignments greater than or equal to a /24 and smaller than or equal to /22 from this reserve pool. Organizations that receive IPv4 resources under the terms set forth in the following policy may receive additional IPv4 resources from LACNIC six months later. IPv4 address requests classified as critical infrastructure according to the LACNIC policies in force may receive addresses, even if they have already been assigned IPv4 resources by LACNIC. Blocks received under this policy may not be transferred as specified in paragraph 2.3.2.18 of the policy manual for a period of one year. Resources allocated by IANA to LACNIC after achieving the final /11 block for gradual exhaustion (section 11.2 of the Policy Manual), will only be allocated / assigned under the guidelines set forth on item 11.1 of the Policy Manual.
RIPE NCC	Size	/22
RIPE NCC	Eligibility	1. Allocations for LIRs from the last /8: On application for IPv4 resources LIRs will receive IPv4 addresses according to the following: The size of the allocation made will be exactly one /22. The sum of all allocations made to a single LIR by the RIPE NCC after the 14th of September 2012 is limited to a maximum of 1024 IPv4 addresses (a single /22 or the equivalent thereof). The LIR must confirm it will make assignment(s) from the allocation.d) Allocations will only be made to LIRs if they have already received an IPv6 allocation from an upstream LIR or the RIPE NCC. 2. Assignments to Internet Exchange Point: A /16 from the final /8 will be held in reserve for exclusive use by Internet Exchange Points. On application for IPv4 resources, an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) will receive one number resource (/24 to /22) according to the following: This space will be used to run an Internet Exchange Point peering LAN; other uses are forbidden. Organizations receiving space under this policy must be Internet Exchange Points and must meet the definition as described in section two of the RIPE document “IPv6 Address Space for Internet Exchange Points”. IXPs holding other PI IPv4 space for their peering LAN (i.e. they are seeking a larger assignment), must return their old peering LAN resources back to this pool within 180 days of assignment. New Internet Exchange points will be assigned a /24. Should they require a larger assignment, they must return their current assignment (or existing PI used as an IXP peering LAN) and receive a replacement /23 or /22. After one year the utilisation of the new assignment must be at least 50%, unless special circumstances are defined. IP space returned by Internet Exchange Points will be added to the reserved pool maintained for Internet Exchange Point use. Assignments will only be made to IXPs who have already applied for, or received an IPv6 assignment for their peering LAN 3. Unforeseen circumstances: A /16 will be held in reserve for some future uses, as yet unforeseen. The Internet is a disruptive technology and we cannot predict what might happen. Therefore it is prudent to keep a /16 in reserve, just in case some future requirement makes a demand of it. In the event that this /16 remains unused at the time the remaining /8 covered by this policy has been distributed, it returns to the pool to be distributed as per clause 1. 4. Post-depletion Address Recycling: This section only applies to address space that is returned to the RIPE NCC and that will not be returned to the IANA but re-issued by the RIPE NCC itself. Any address space that is returned to the RIPE NCC will be covered by the same rules as the address space intended in clause 1.

RIR	Policy
AFRINIC	–
APNIC	From 27 May 2014, following the allocation to APNIC of additional IPv4 addresses from the IANA IPv4 Recovered Address Space pool, each account holder (current and future) will be eligible to request and receive additional delegations up to a maximum of /22 from the new IPv4 pool (non-/103 pool). The application criteria for receiving a subsequent IPv4 delegation from this pool is the same as that for delegations under the ‘final /8′ (/103) pool.
ARIN	–
LACNIC	Resources allocated by IANA to LACNIC once item 11.2 of the Policy Manual (Allocations/Assignments for Gradual IPv4 Resource Exhaustion) becomes effective will only be allocated/assigned under the guidelines set forth on item 11.1 of the Policy Manual (Special IPv4 Allocations/Assignments Reserved for New Members).
RIPE NCC	–

RIR	Category	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	Size	/32.	–
	Eligibility	Be an LIR; Not be an end site; Show a detailed plan to provide IPv6 connectivity to organizations in the AFRINIC region. Show a reasonable plan for making /48 IPv6 assignments to end sites in the AFRINIC region within twelve months.
	Period	Up to one year.
APNIC	Size	/32.	Allocations consistent with the globally co-ordinated ‘IPv6 Address Allocation and Assignment Policy’ document. Organizations may qualify for an initial allocation greater than /32 by submitting documentation that reasonably justifies the request. Considers IPv4 deployment as one of the means of justifying a larger initial allocation.
	Eligibility	APNIC members with IPv4 resources managed by APNIC but with no IPv6 resources automatically qualify for an appropriately sized IPv6 block. Organizations with no IPv4, or that wish to request more than a /32 should meet the following requirements: Be an LIR; Not be an end site; Plan to provide IPv6 connectivity to organizations to which it will make assignments; Meet one of the following two criteria: Have a plan for making at least 200 assignments to other organizations within two years, or Be an existing LIR with IPv4 allocations from an APNIC or an NIR, which will make IPv6 assignments or sub-allocations to other organizations and announce the allocation in the inter-domain routing system within two years. In addition, APNIC will make allocations to ‘closed’ networks if they meet all other criteria. APNIC can make allocation based on existing IPv4 network infrastructure.
	Period	For up to one year.
ARIN	Size	/36, /32, /28, /24, /20, /16	The maximum allowable allocation shall be the smallest nibble-boundary aligned block that can provide an equally sized nibble-boundary aligned block to each of the requesters serving sites large enough to satisfy the needs of the requesters largest single serving site using no more than 75% of the available addresses.
	Eligibility	Organizations must meet any of the following criteria: Already have an IPv4 ISP allocation from ARIN or one of its predecessor registries or can qualify for an IPv4 ISP allocation under current criteria. Be multihomed for IPv6 or will immediately become multihomed for IPv6 using a valid assigned global AS number. Provide a reasonable technical justification indicating why an allocation is necessary.
	Period	For up to five years.
LACNIC	Size	/32.	As a special case, LACNIC has a policy for the “Second Allocation” where an Organization that holds only one IPv6 allocation can return it (within the first 6 months of getting it) in order to receive another shorter prefix allocation from LACNIC. For allocations larger than a /32, the Organization must address the considerations specified in section 4.5.1.3 of the Policy Manual.
	Eligibility	Hold an IPv4 allocation from LACNIC and announce the allocated block with the minimum possible level of disaggregation to the one that is publishing the IP blocks, or: Be a LIR or an ISP; Document a detailed plan for the services and IPv6 connectivity to be offered to other organizations; Announce the allocated block in the Internet inter-domain routing system, with the minimum possible level of disaggregation to the one that is publishing the IP blocks, within a period no longer than 12 months; Offer IPv6 services to clients or entities owned/related (including departments and/or sites) physically located within the region covered by LACNIC within a period not longer than 24 months than 24 months.
	Period	For up to one year.
RIPE NCC	Size	/32 minimum	Organizations that meet the initial allocation criteria are eligible to receive an initial allocation of /32. For allocations up to /29 no additional documentation is necessary. Allocation size larger than /29 will be based on the number of users, the extent of the organization’s infrastructure, the hierarchical and geographical structuring of the organization, the segmentation of infrastructure for security and the planned longevity of the allocation.
	Eligibility	Be an LIR; Have a plan for making sub-allocations to other organizations and/or End Site assignments within two years.
	Period	For up to two years.

RIR	Category	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	Size	Minimum size of next allocation will equal the first allocation size. More can be allocated but justification must be supplied.	Contiguous allocation provided if possible. RFC 3194 defines the HD-Ratio.
	Eligibility	ISP/LIR must satisfy the evaluation threshold of past address utilization in terms of the number of sites in units of /48 assignments. The HD-Ratio of 0.94 is used to determine the utilization thresholds that justify the allocation of additional addresses.
	Period	Up to one year.
APNIC	Size	Minimum size of next allocation will equal the first allocation size. More can be allocated but justification must be supplied.	Contiguous allocation provided if possible. RFC 3194 defines the HD-Ratio. Guidelines on what will be considered a valid technical requirement is available at: http://www.apnic.net/criteria/ipv6-guidelines
	Eligibility	ISP/LIR must satisfy the evaluation threshold of past address utilization in terms of the number of sites in units of /56 assignments. The HD-Ratio of 0.94 is used to determine the utilization thresholds that justify the allocation of additional addresses. Alternative criteria may be considered where an organization can demonstrate a valid reason for requiring a subsequent allocation.
	Period	Up to two years.
RIPE NCC	Size	Minimum size of next allocation will equal the first allocation size. More can be allocated but justification must be supplied.	Contiguous allocation provided if possible. RFC 3194 defines the HD-Ratio.
	Eligibility	Subsequent allocation will be provided when an organisation (i.e. ISP/LIR): a) Satisfies the evaluation threshold of past address utilisation in terms of the number of sites in units of /56. To this end, the HD-Ratio [RFC 3194] is used to determine the utilisation thresholds. or b) Can justify new needs (which can’t be satisfied within the previous allocation), according to the initial allocation size criteria.
	Period	Up to two years.
ARIN	Size	Where possible ARIN will make subsequent allocations by expanding the existing allocation. If ARIN can not expand one or more existing allocations, ARIN shall make a new allocation based on the initial allocation criteria above. The LIR is encouraged, but not required to renumber into the new allocation over time and return any allocations no longer in use. If an LIR has already reached a /12 or more, ARIN will allocate a single additional /12 rather than continue expanding nibble boundaries.	Subsequent allocations will also be considered for deployments that cannot be accommodated by, nor were accounted for, under the initial allocation. Justification for the subsequent subnet size will be based on the plan and technology provided with a /24 being the maximum allowed for a transition technology. Justification for transitional allocations will be reviewed every 3 years and reclaimed if they are no longer in use for transitional purposes. All such allocations for transitional technology will be made from a block designated for this purpose.
	Eligibility	Demonstrate at least 75% utilization of IPv6 allocations, or Demonstrate at least 90% utilization of any single serving site, or Have allocated more than 90% of total address space to serving sites.
	Period	Up to five years.
LACNIC	Size	Minimum size of next allocation will equal the first allocation size. More can be allocated but justification must be supplied.	Contiguous allocation provided if possible. RFC 3194 defines the HD-Ratio.
	Eligibility	ISP/LIR must satisfy the evaluation threshold of past address utilization in terms of the number of sites in units of /48 assignments. The HD-Ratio of 0.94 is used to determine the utilization thresholds that justify the allocation of additional addresses.
	Period	Up to two years.

RIR	Category	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC APNIC ARIN LACNIC	Size	No policy.	–
AFRINIC APNIC ARIN LACNIC	Eligibility	Not applicable.	–
ARIN	Size	/48 minimum.	These allocations come from specific blocks reserved only for this purpose.
ARIN	Eligibility	Organizations that currently hold IPv6 allocations may apply for a micro-allocation for internal infrastructure. Applicant must provide technical justification indicating why a separate non-routed block is required. Justification must include why a sub-allocation of currently held IP space cannot be utilized.

RIR	Category	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	Definition	Root DNS operators, IXPs, RIRs	Part of the “Provider Independent (PI) Assignment for End-Sites” policy
	Size	/48 minimum.
	Eligibility	Requestor to prove they operate a critical infrastructure network.
APNIC	Definition	Root DNS, ccTLD, gTLD, IANA, RIRs, NIRs.	–
	Size	/32 maximum.
	Eligibility	APNIC members with IPv4 resources assigned under the IPv4 critical infrastructure policy, but with no IPv6 resources, automatically qualify for an IPv6 /48. Members that do not hold an IPv4 critical infrastructure assignment from APNIC, that have existing IPv6 resources, or that wish to request more than /48 should meet the following requirement: Assignments to critical infrastructure are available only to the actual operators of the network infrastructure performing such functions.
ARIN	Definition	Root DNS, ccTLD, gTLD, IANA, RIRs.	–
	Size	/48 minimum.
	Eligibility	Assignments to critical infrastructure are available only to the actual operators of the network infrastructure performing such functions.
LACNIC	Definition	NAPs, Root DNS, ccTLD, gTLD, IANA, RIRs, NIRs.	–
	Size	/48 minimum, /32 maximum.
	Eligibility	Micro allocation to critical Internet infrastructure operators only.
RIPE NCC	Definition	Root DNS, Anycasting ccTLD, gTLD, ENUM.	For Anycasting assignments for ccTLD, gTLD and ENUM, the organizations are TLD managers, as recorded in the IANA’s Root Zone Database and ENUM administrators, as assigned by the ITU.
	Size	For Root DNS minimum allocation size at time of request. It is up to four /48s per Anycasting ccTLD/gTLD and ENUM
	Eligibility	For Root DNS minimum allocation size at time of request. It is up to four /48s per Anycasting ccTLD/gTLD and ENUMRoot DNS: Assignments to critical infrastructure are available only to the actual network infrastructure performing such functions. For Anycasting ccTLD, gTLD, ENUM: An organisation may receive up to four /48 prefixes per TLD and four /48 prefixes per ENUM. These prefixes must be used for the sole purpose of anycasting authoritative DNS servers for the stated TLD/ENUM, as described in BCP126/RFC4786.

RIR	Category	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	Size	/48 minimum	–
AFRINIC	Eligibility	Not be a LIR; Qualify for an IPv4 PI assignment from AFRINIC under the IPv4 policy currently in effect; Be or plan to be an AFRINIC Member of the category “EU-PI”	–
APNIC	Size	/48 minimum.	These assignments come from a distinctly identified prefix.
APNIC	Eligibility	APNIC members with IPv4 resources assigned under the IPv4 multihoming policy, but with no IPv6 resources, automatically qualify for an IPv6 /48. Members that do not hold an IPv4 multihoming assignment from APNIC, that have existing IPv6 resources, or that wish to request more than /48 should meet the following requirement: An organization is currently multihomed or plans to be multihomed; Organizations are eligible for a Provider Independent delegation if they are able to demonstrate a valid reason that an assignment from their ISP, or LIR, is not suitable.	These assignments come from a distinctly identified prefix.
ARIN	Size	/48 minimum.	The initial assignment size is determined by the number of sites. Nibble boundary assignments are available.
ARIN	Eligibility	Meet one of the following requirements: Have a previously justified IPv4 end-user assignment from ARIN or one of its predecessor registries Currently be IPv6 Multihomed or have a plan to immediately become IPv6 Multihomed using an assigned valid global AS number Have a network that will makes active use of a minimum of 2000 IPv6 addresses within 12 months Have a network that will make active use of a minimum of 200 /64 subnets within 12 months Have a contiguous network that has a minimum of 13 active sites within 12 months, Provide a reasonable technical justification indicating why IPv6 addresses from an ISP or other LIR are unsuitable. or: Be a Community Network that will immediately have at least 100 simultaneous users and a demonstrated plan to have at least 200 simultaneous users within one year.
LACNIC	Size	/48 minimum	–
LACNIC	Eligibility	Automatic if requestor has IPv4 assignment, or: Not been an LIR or ISP. In case of announcing the assignment on the Internet inter-domain routing system, the receiving organization shall announce the block maintaining de-aggregation to a minimum in accordance with the announcing organization’s needs, Provide detailed information showing how the requested block will be used within the following three, six and twelve months. Submit addressing plans for at least a year.	–
RIPE NCC	Size	/48 minimum.	Assignments will be made from a separate “designated block”‘ to facilitate filtering practices
RIPE NCC	Eligibility	Meet the requirements of the policies described in the document entitled “Contractual Requirements for Provider Independent Resources Holders in the RIPE NCC Service Region“

RIR	Policy
APNIC	Blocks of ASNs are allocated to NIRs for further distribution to their members.
AFRINIC ARIN LACNIC RIPE NCC	Not applicable.

RIR	Category	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	Modification	LIRs are required to register all assignments and sub-allocations.	–
AFRINIC	Entry	Can update all assignment and sub-allocation registrations (protection mechanism available). Org object cannot be created by a LIR.	–
APNIC	Modification	LIRs required to register all assignments and sub-allocations. Registrations will be stored privately by APNIC unless the custodian wishes them to be made publicly available in the APNIC Whois Database.	Not required to register infrastructure assignments.
APNIC	Entry	Can update all assignment and sub-allocation registrations (protection mechanism available). Incident Response Team reference mandatory for all IP address and AS number objects in the APNIC Whois Database to assist in reporting network abuse.	Not required to register infrastructure assignments.
ARIN	Modification	Downstream reassignments and reallocations are reported, showing hierarchy and End User assignments. Reassignment information for residential customers need not contain the customer’s name nor street address.	Not required to register infrastructure assignments.
ARIN	Entry	Can modify all parent data except “org name” and address range. Can modify all child data.	Not required to register infrastructure assignments.
LACNIC	Modification	Downstream reassignments and reallocations are reported, showing hierarchy and End User assignments.	Not required to register infrastructure assignments.
LACNIC	Entry	Can modify all parent data except “org name” and address range. Can modify all child data. Users have to authenticate themselves in LACNIC web system.	Not required to register infrastructure assignments.
RIPE NCC	Modification	LIRs are required to register all assignments and sub-allocations.	–
RIPE NCC	Entry	Can update all assignment and sub-allocation registrations (protection mechanism available).	–

(version 2017-01)

1. General

1.1 Goals of the RIR System

1.2 Membership

1.3 Allocation Terms and Conditions

1.3.1 Type of Custodianship

1.3.2 Transfer of Custodianship

1.3.3 Recovering Unused Resources

1.3.4 Out-of-Region Use

2. IPv4

2.1 Initial Allocation

2.2 Subsequent Allocations

2.3 Sub-Allocations

2.4 Assignments by RIRs (Independent/Portable)

2.4.1 General

2.4.2 Critical Infrastructure

2.4.3 Internet Exchange Points (IXPs)

2.5 Assignments by LIRs

2.5.1 Assignment Window

2.5.2 Dynamic Addressing

2.5.3 Mobile Terminals

2.5.4 Web Hosting

2.5.5 Network Address Translation (NAT)

2.5.6 RFC1918 Private Address Space

2.6. Use of Final Unallocated IPv4 Address Space

2.7 Use of IANA Recovered Address Space

3. IPv6

3.1 Initial Allocation

3.2 Subsequent Allocations

3.3 Other Allocations

3.3.1 Micro-allocations for Internal Infrastructure

3.4 Assignments by RIRs (Independent/Portable)

3.4.1 Critical Infrastructure

3.4.2 Internet Exchange Points (IXPs)

3.4.3 End Users

3.5 Assignments by LIRs

3.5.1 Dynamic Addressing

3.5.2 Mobile Terminals

3.5.3 Web Hosting

3.5.4 Network Address Translation (NAT)

4. Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs)

4.1 Allocations

4.2 Assignments

4.2.1 32-bit ASNs

5. Database – Registration

6. Reverse DNS

7. National Internet Registries (NIRs)

8. Policy Development

9. Internet Experiments

10. Documentation Prefix

German Valdez

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RIR	Policy	Comment
AFRINIC	Only make delegations on 8-bit boundaries (/16 or /24). Multiple delegations may be requested to cover CIDR prefixes for blocks bigger than a /24.	Members may only obtain rDNS if address space issued (assigned or sub-allocated) is recorded in the AFRINIC whois Database.
APNIC	Provides reverse DNS based on domain objects in the APNIC database. If the delegation is /16 or larger then the authority for the reverse zone, it is delegated to the custodian of the address space.	Policy for “lame delegations” checking established and enforced.
ARIN	Not applicable.	ARIN’s delegation management tools enable you to individually manage each reverse delegation within both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. Delegations can be managed in IPv4 on byte boundaries (/8, /16 or /24’s), and IPv6 networks can be managed on nibble boundaries (every 4 bits of the IPv6 address).
LACNIC	Provides reverse DNS for all parent blocks. Does not provide reverse DNS for reassignments on child blocks if the parent is /16 or greater.	Policy for “lame delegations” checking established and enforced
RIPE NCC	Provides reverse DNS delegation on request. Deploys DNSSEC on all the reverse zones.	RIPE NCC verifies RFC1912 compliance.

RIR	Policy
AFRINIC ARIN RIPE NCC	Not applicable.
APNIC	NIRs operate in Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, India and Vietnam. They are not ISPs. They allocate to their members within their economy following APNIC policies. organizations within those NIR economies may go to either the relevant NIR or APNIC.
LACNIC	NIRs operate in Brazil and Mexico. They are not ISPs. They allocate to their members following LACNIC policies. NIRs are responsible for providing services within their country.

RIR	Policy
AFRINIC APNIC	Allocations and assignments of Internet resources for Internet experiments are available. Such allocations or assignments are made for one year after which they must be returned. They are intended to support experimental Internet activities. Results of experiments must be made freely available to the public.
ARIN	ARIN will allocate Numbering Resources to entities requiring temporary Numbering Resources for a fixed period of time under the terms of recognised experimental activity.
RIPE NCC	RIPE NCC uses a reserved pool of Internet resources for temporary assignment. For conferences and other events of short, fixed duration, the maximum assignment time period will be one month longer than the scheduled length of the conference/event but no longer than two months in any case. The assignment time limits for longer-term projects and research purposes are up to six calendar months. In the case where an End User requires number resources for research purposes, and where the research project details are made public upon registration End User commits to making public the results of their research project free of charge and free from disclosure constraints, then the requested number resources may be issued for a period of up to one calendar year.
LACNIC	LACNIC shall make experimental allocations with the aim of encouraging research and development within the region of Latin America and the Caribbean. The experimental allocation shall be for a period of one year, renewable for a period of the same duration, with no specified maximum. The results of the experiment must be published on a public website.

RIR	Policy
APNIC	A documentation prefix is available to organizations wishing to use examples of Internet resources in educational materials, case studies and other documentation.
AFRINIC ARIN LACNIC RIPE NCC	No policy.