[policy-wg] Proposed Change for allocation period

[Adiel A. Akplogan]

Name: Adiel A. Akplogan

Organisation:    AfriNIC

Policy/Documents Affected:  afpol-v4200407-000, affrm-v4fst200501,

Date:            November 2006

Proposal:        Proposal to change the allocation and
                  assignment period to 12 months:

Incentive:       In the very changing environment of the Internet and related
                  services it is generally difficult to precisely plan
                  IP addresses usage two years ahead. Further to that AfriNIC
                  members may at the moment appear to have an unfair
                  advantage over those in other regions. This will mean
                  that all LIRs will plan their address space needs within
                  the same time frames.


Introduction:
-------------

This proposal suggests that AfriNIC should start allocating/assigning enough
IPv4 and IPv6 address space to last a member's 1 year addressing needs (as
opposed to currently ­ 2, as is the practice).

Abstract:
---------

Current IPv4/v6 policy does not explicitly mention a timeframe that AfriNIC
requires its members to plan for when requesting 
IP address space. The practice
however is to allocate/assign enough IP address 
space to satisfy a member's two
year requirements. This period is shorter in most of the other regions:

      LACNIC:      3 months
      ARIN:        6 months
      APNIC:      12 months
      RIPE:       24 months

Motivation:
-----------

Fairness:  Having a different allocation/assignment period could be seen as
offering advantages to LIRs in one region over those in another. With a shorter
allocation/assignment period, a member can only 
plan for the short term, whereas
others will have more flexibility in terms of their planning. AfriNIC members
may at the moment appear to have an unfair 
advantage over those in other regions.
This will mean that all LIRs will plan their 
address space needs within the same
time frames in all regions.

More accurate allocation based on real needs: 
With evaluation based on one year
needs, it will be easy for LIR to precise in 
their needs statement. It will also
contribute to speed up the evaluation process by AfriNIC's IP analysts as they
won't have to assess too much new services which 
are not yet implemented but only
planed (in two years period time) by the requester.

Currently there are similar proposals in the LACNIC and RIPE regions to change
this period to one year. ARIN has also adopted a similar policy.

Summary:
--------

In view of the above criteria, AfriNIC should 
allocate/assign enough IPv4 and IPv6
address space to last a member's 1 year addressing needs.

---------------------


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