A multi-stakeholder approach is vital to continued global development of the Internet
Fair access to IP address blocks remains a priority for NRO
The Number Resource Organization (NRO), formed by the world’s five Regional Internet Registries, will highlight the importance of fair and equitable access to Internet number resources in all regions at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) today.
IP addresses (used to identify any device connected to the Internet) are fundamental to the operation of the Internet, and their responsible management is vital to ensuring the future development of the Internet. The majority of networks currently run on Internet Protocol version four (IPv4), but nearly 90 per cent of these addresses have already been allocated. There is a global need to deploy the new version of IP addresses, IPv6, to guarantee that the rapidly expanding range of networked devices can connect to the Internet.
As mobile Internet and broadband becomes more widespread in developing regions, there is an urgent need for IPv6-compatible networks and devices to be available. This is the only way that developing countries can continue to compete on a global stage.
Raúl Echeberría, Executive Director of LACNIC, comments: “The RIRs will each receive one of the last five blocks of IPv4 addresses from IANA at the same time. Because the RIRs’ that serve the least developed regions (LACNIC and AFRINIC) allocate addresses at a slower rate, it is likely that we will continue to allocate IPv4 addresses after the other RIRs have run out. This will allow these developing regions some critical extra time to deploy IPv6 efficiently and effectively.”
He continues, “The RIR system works on a bottom-up policy approach, ensuring fair and equitable access to critical Internet resources for both developed and developing nations. Regardless of the exact date of IPv4 address exhaustion, the NRO, and the RIR system that it represents, will ensure that IPv6 addresses are distributed responsibly and fairly.”
Part of ensuring that IPv6 deployment is a success is the multi-stakeholder approach adopted at events such as the IGF. It is vital that representatives of both the private and public sector continue to work together to secure the future growth and development of the Internet. The NRO encourages all parties to participate in today’s workshops, as well as other multi-stakeholder events related to Internet governance.
RIR representatives are participating in the following workshops:
- Adopting IPv6: What You Need To Know
- Managing Internet Addresses: Global And Regional Viewpoint
- Introduction To Internet Operations
- IPv6 Transition: Economic and Technical Considerations
- Mitigating The Financial Crisis With Open Source Applications
- Need-Based And Market-Based Internet Resource Allocation
- Spanish And Latin Content In The Internet
- Understanding Internet Infrastructure: An Overview Of Technology And Terminology
- Workshop On Public Policies For An Improved Interconnection At Lower Costs
Notes to Editors
About the Number Resource Organization (NRO)
The NRO exists to protect the pool of unallocated Internet numbers (IP addresses and AS numbers) and serves as a coordinating mechanism for the five RIRs to act collectively on matters relating to the interests of RIRs.
About the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs)
Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) are independent, not-for-profit membership organisations that support the infrastructure of the Internet through technical coordination. There are five RIRs in the world today. Currently, the Internet Assigned Numbers Association (IANA) allocates blocks of IP addresses and ASNs, known collectively as Internet number resources, to the RIRs, who then distribute them to their members within their own specific service regions. RIR members include Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecommunications organisations, large corporations, governments, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders, including end users.
The RIR model of open, transparent participation has proven successful at responding to the rapidly changing Internet environment. Each RIR holds one to two open meetings per year, as well as facilitating online discussion by the community, to allow the open exchange of ideas from the technical community, the business sector, civil society, and government regulators.
The five RIRs are:
- AFRINIC, http://www.AFRINIC.net – Africa region
- APNIC, http://www.apnic.net – Asia and Pacific region
- ARIN, http://www.arin.net – Canada, many Caribbean and North Atlantic islands, and the United States
- LACNIC, http://www.lacnic.net/en/index.html – Latin America and parts of the Caribbean
- RIPE NCC, http://www.ripe.net – Europe, Middle East and Parts of Central Asia
Each RIR performs a range of critical functions including,
- The reliable and stable allocation of Internet number resources (IPv4, IPv6 and AS Number resources)
- The responsible storage and maintenance of this registration data
- The provision of an open, publicly accessible database where this data can be accessed
- RIRs also provide a range of technical and coordination services for the Internet community
Contacts:
Megan Kruse, ARIN/Number Resource Organization (NRO)
Tel: +1 571 438 7121
e-mail: megank@arin.net
Lucie Smith / Kersti Klami / Blaise Hammond, Racepoint Group UK
Tel: +44 208 752 3200
e-mail: ripencc@racepointgroup.com
Last modified on 09/09/2020