The NRO Emphasizes the Importance of Internet Resource Management in Developing Regions

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 15th November 2009 – The Number Resource
Organization (NRO), formed by the world’s five Regional Internet
Registries, will highlight the importance of fair and equitable access
to Internet number resources in all regions at the Internet Governance
Forum (IGF) today.

IP addresses (which are used to identify any device connected to the
Internet) are fundamental to its operation, and their responsible
management is vital to ensuring that the Internet continues to develop.
The majority of networks currently run on IPv4 (Internet Protocol
version four), but nearly 90 per cent of these addresses have already
been allocated. There is a global need to deploy IPv6 – IPv4’s successor
– to guarantee that the rapidly expanding range of networked devices can
continue to connect to the Internet.

As mobile Internet and broadband becomes more widespread in developing
regions, there is an urgent need for IPv6-compatible networks and
devices to be available. This is the only way that developing countries
can continue to compete on the global stage.

Raúl Echeberría, Executive Director of LACNIC, comments: “The RIRs will
each receive one of the last five blocks of IPv4 addresses from IANA at
the same time. Because the RIRs that serve the least developed regions
(LACNIC and AfriNIC) allocate addresses at a slower rate, it is likely
that we will continue to allocate IPv4 addresses after the other RIRs
have run out. This will allow these developing regions some critical
extra time to deploy IPv6 efficiently and effectively.”

He continues, “The RIR system works on a bottom-up policy approach,
ensuring fair and equitable access to critical Internet resources for
both developed and developing nations. Regardless of the exact date of
IPv4 address exhaustion, the NRO, as well as the RIR system that it
represents, will ensure that IPv6 addresses are distributed responsibly
and fairly.”

Part of ensuring that IPv6 deployment is a success is the
multi-stakeholder approach adopted at events such as the IGF. It is
vital that representatives of both the private and public sector
continue to work together to secure the future growth and development of
the Internet. The NRO encourages all parties to participate in today’s
workshops, as well as other multi-stakeholder events related to Internet
governance.

RIR representatives are participating in the following workshops:
– Adopting IPv6: What You Need To Know
– Managing Internet Addresses: Global and regional viewpoint
– Introduction to Internet Operations
– Mitigating the Financial Crisis with Open Source Applications
– Need-based and market-based Internet resource allocation
– Spanish and Latin content in the Internet
– Understanding Internet Infrastructure: an Overview of Technology
and Terminology
– Workshop on Public Policies for an improved interconnection at
lower costs
– IPv6 Transition: Economic and Technical Considerations

1. AfriNIC, APNIC, ARIN, LACNIC, RIPE-NCC

(Ends)

Notes to Editors
—————-

ABOUT THE NUMBER RESOURCE ORGANIZATION (NRO)

The NRO exists to protect the pool of unallocated Internet numbers (IP
addresses and AS numbers) and serves as a coordinating mechanism for the
five RIRs to act collectively on matters relating to the interests of
RIRs. For further information, visit www.nro.net.

ABOUT THE REGIONAL INTERNET REGISTRIES (RIRS)

Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) are independent, not-for-profit
membership organizations that support the infrastructure of the Internet
through technical coordination. There are five RIRs in the world today.
Currently, the Internet Assigned Numbers Association (IANA) allocates
blocks of IP addresses and ASNs, known collectively as Internet number
resources, to the RIRs, who then distribute them to their members within
their own specific service regions. RIR members include Internet Service
Providers (ISPs), telecommunications organizations, large corporations,
governments, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders
including end users.

The RIR model of open, transparent participation has proven successful
at responding to the rapidly-changing Internet environment. Each RIR
holds one or two open meetings per year, as well as facilitating online
discussion by the community, to allow the open exchange of ideas from
the technical community, the business sector, civil society, and
government regulators. The five RIRs are:

AfriNIC, http://www.afrinic.net – Africa region

APNIC, http://www.apnic.net – Asia and Pacific region

ARIN, http://www.arin.net – Canada, many Caribbean and North
Atlantic islands, and the United States

LACNIC, http://www.lacnic.net/en/index.html – Latin America and
parts of the Caribbean

RIPE NCC, http://www.ripe.net – Europe, Middle East and Parts of
Central Asia

Each RIR performs a range of critical functions, including:
– The reliable and stable allocation of Internet number resources
(IPv4, IPv6, and AS number resources)
– The responsible storage and maintenance of this registration data
– The provision of an open, publicly accessible database where this
data can be accessed