[rpd] Questions about IP Allocation rate

[Fernando Frediani]

Hi

Allocating resources for Future Use is commonly important when you can't 
predict things in long term and think it was a good decision taken in 
the past. Same thing for Critical Infrastructure Resources reservation 
that most RIRs have. They have a clear reason to exist and be treated as 
such.

If we, as a Community, are going to discuss allocation of remaining 
reserved resources I firmly believe this should be done with enough time 
to analyze the current IPv4 exhaustion, demand in the region and how it 
can benefit most organization in Africa.
A /12 may be a lot but don't be surprised how fast that can go.

Therefore we should have as basis some fundamental restrictions in order 
to make sure these resources go to those willing to build Internet 
Infrastructure AND (this and is important) that currently have no 
chances to get much IPv4 space.
I am talking about newcomers. In order for them to exist and start 
building something they need some minimal space, get at cruising speed 
and be more independent from there. Those who already have some 
allocations are more likely to have revenue to transfer further blocks 
as required. The current /22 limitation well tested in other RIRs and 
provides a reasonable minimal amount of IPv4 to start with.

This favors the emergence of a greater number of organizations that 
build Internet Infrastructure in the region, which is always positive 
for greater competitiveness and innovation in this ecosystem.

Best regards
Fernando Frediani

On 10/13/2025 11:43 AM, Andrew Alston wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I was wondering if there were updated statistics for the amount of 
> space allocated in the last 3 years.  In addition to this information 
> regarding exactly how much free space is still available in the IPv4 
> unallocated pool (excluding reservations)
>
> I ask this because depending on the allocation rate - we may wish to 
> consider revising the soft-landing policy that currently reserves a 
> /12 worth of ipv4 space for "future uses, as yet unforeseen".
>
> I point out that the soft landing policy was ratified in 2011, and if 
> we still, after 14 years, have not been able to articulate a clear 
> reason for such a large reservation, I think it's time we look at 
> most, if not all, of that /12 back into the main unallocated pool that 
> can be allocated for African resource holders that actually need it.
>
> Amongst other reasons, sitting with unallocated, unannounced, reserved 
> space like this leaves the space vulnerable to hijacking and malicious 
> use or even potential theft.
>
> Thanks
>
> Andrew
>
>
>
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