[AfriNIC-rpd] Updated Version of the "IPv4 Soft Landing Policy" now Available Online

[Andrew Alston]

Hi All,


> AfriNIC resources are for the AfriNIC geographical region. For each
> allocation or assignment made during the Exhaustion Phase, no more than
> 10% of these resources may be used outside of the AfriNIC region, and
> any use outside the AfriNIC region shall be solely in support of
> connectivity back to the AfriNIC region.
> 

I need to object to the above clause and recommend deletion of this clause,
for the following reasons:

A.) It's not really enforceable, I have yet to hear ANY credible method of
identifying members who are violating this.  A policy that is not
enforceable doesn't serve a point, other than as a statement of intent.

B.) This clause creates major problems for African companies wishing to
globally expand in the post exhaustion era.  The simple fact is that once an
RIR in another region runs out of space, any African company wishing to
operate in both regions, and needing more space for expansion in another
region will HAVE to get the space from AfriNIC, that or we tell them as the
community that we do not support their expansion into other markets.  It's
kind of self defeating.  Now, I've heard people say that even if this
happens, it will amount to less than 10% of their allocations, and I don't
agree with this sentiment at all.  There are plenty of cases where an
African institution has ONE major branch in Africa, and 5 or 6 in different
countries and regions around the world.  Are we really going to stop them
expanding by denying them the right to use AfriNIC space in their expansion?

In a world where globalization is becoming key to business, I really believe
this clause could cause us untold headaches.

Andrew