Recommended Draft Policy ARIN-2024-9

Remove Outdated Carveout for Community Networks

Status: Under Discussion
Shepherds: Alison Wood, Alicia Trotman

Current Text (23 June 2024)

AC Assessment of Conformance with the Principles of Internet Number Resource Policy:

ARIN policy 2024-9 “Remove Outdated Carveout for Community Networks” is fair and impartial, technically sound and has the support of the community to move to recommended status. The policy, if adopted, will retire sections 2.11 and 6.5.9 regarding Community Networks from the NRPM as there is no longer any advantage to obtaining space as a community network, and qualifying for community space is in fact more difficult than without the community requirements.

Problem Statement:

Sections 2.11 and 6.5.9 define Community Networks, and provide special dispensation for Community Networks to receive only a /40 of IPv6 space. When these sections were last materially updated in 2017 (ARIN-2017-8), the smallest allowed allocation to a normal ARIN LIR was a /36, so the Community Networks sections still provided value. In 2020 (ARIN-2020-3) however, the NRPM was amended such that any LIR may request to receive only a /40 for any reason. As such, the carveout for Community Networks to receive a /40 is no longer necessary, and potentially confusing.

Policy Statement:

Retire Sections 2.11 and 6.5.9

Timetable for Implementation: Immediate.

Staff and Legal Review (15 September 2024)

Staff Understanding:

This policy intends to remove an outdated and unused policy specific to one very narrow segment of potential users. While the qualification requirements for Community Networks (6.5.9) differ from those outlined in the Initial Allocations and Subsequent Allocations sections (6.5.2.2 and 6.5.3), staff does not expect that this change would affect any potential Community Network.

Section 6.5.9 accommodates the anticipated tighter budgets of Community Networks by allowing a smaller allocation of a /40. However, section 6.5.2.2 also allows for a /40 allocation, so the same budgetary aide is being realized for smaller network operators, including Community Networks.

Additionally, section 6.5.9.1 requires community networks to demonstrate they meet the definition outlined in section 2.11. This may involve providing documentation, notarized affidavits, or other evidence.

In contrast, and paraphrasing, section 6.5.2.2 allows applicants to qualify by:

• Having, or are able to qualify for IPv4 under current policy
• Being, or committing to becoming, multihomed for IPv6
• Providing technical justification indicating why the allocation necessary

In staff’s experience, organizations can generally meet the full text of the IPv6 requirements with relative ease under the first or second criteria. Since there is currently no requirement for community network operators to apply under the Community Networks policy, staff believes that removing this unused and potentially confusing policy may benefit prospective community network operators.

Implementable as Written?: Yes

Impact on ARIN Registry Operations and Services: None

Legal Review: No material legal issue

Implementation Timeframe Estimate: 3 months

Implementation Requirements:

• Staff Training
• Updates to public documentation
• Updates to internal procedures and guidelines

Proposal/Draft Policy Text Assessed: 23 July 2024

History and Earlier Versions

Related Meetings