I have recently come across the announcement regarding tender bidding of a large block of IPV4 address space in which WIDE and APNIC are involved. I am sure that the intentions are good however no discussion has taken place in a consultative process typically followed by APNIC ie through Policy Sig, on APNIC talk and at AMM during the past APNIC meetings. Even at recent APNIC Melbourne meeting there was no discussion.
Keeping in view that the APNIC community is severely constrained with non availability of IPV4 address space or its availability at exorbitant rates in the market, the needs and welfare of the community could also be served by making the address space available to a larger number of members at a regulated cost ,maybe a little higher. The cost so realized could then be used for welfare activities as mentioned in the APITD deed document.
Keeping this in view I feel that the bidding process be delayed by a period on minimum 30 to 45 days, a interest group be formed on APNIC talk for discussion also Chair Policy Sig be informed to take up discussion.
Some of the issues I feel which need discussion :
1. As per the document tender rules are such that in the First Stage only few very large capital intensive companies would be able to participate ( /12 pools) thus depriving needy small and medium service providers who connect Internet to backward areas not on Internet map as yet, to participate.
APNIC was the first RIR to restrict allocations to 1024 addresses for each member, as its pool reached critical levels of one /8 block on 14 April 2011.The APNIC RIR is responsible for address allocation in the area of fastest Internet expansion, including the emerging markets of most populous countries of the region.
As per List_of_countries_by_IPv4_address_allocation
Per 1000 population IP address allocation to countries of LDEs is < 30 IP address, whereas world average allocation per 1000 Population is around 611 IP addresses. This contradicts the very vision of Trust to increase development of Internet in AP region, if we cannot address by allocating small IPv4 pools to all required ISPs/Regional RIRs and allowing Very large capital companies would be able to participate thus depriving needy small and medium service providers who connect Internet service to areas not on Internet map as yet.
2. The tender blocks of Stage1 bidding process / 12 blocks should be subdivided into blocks of /18 which will enable all type of ISPs to bid within their resources. This will also ensure deeper penetration of internet in community with larger involvement of members.
3. Number of smaller ISPs to jointly bid for a block must be permitted to allow equitable participation. Rules regarding their preapproval by APNIC or NIR’s be suitably amended.
4. A discussion must also be held on a process of invitation of applications at a slightly higher price by the APIDT. In case the applicants are more than the IP addresses then a draw of lots be held. This will ensure that the funds so generated are used for further welfare activities through APNIC Foundation for the community as envisaged in the APIDT Trust Deed.
5. APIDT in its wisdom may also, as a community benefit measure, allocate some IPs to LDE’s of our region which are severely impacted due to later start of their internet development process.
6. A discussion may also be done on benefits of a system of equitable reservation for different sub regions of Asia Pac region.
All the above clearly indicate that we need to deliberately discuss the above issues in the community and request APIDT to take steps to postpone the present process of bidding and take the views of the wider community.
Regards,
Rajesh Panwala