The Address Supporting Organization

The purpose of the ASO is to review and develop recommendations on IP address policy and to advise the ICANN Board on these matters.

History

In July 1999, the three existing Regional Internet Registries (APNIC, ARIN, and the RIPE NCC) submitted a proposal to form the ASO on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). ICANN accepted this proposal on 26 August 1999.

The ASO was subsequently formed on 19 October 1999 when the MoU was signed by representatives of the RIRs and of ICANN during the ARIN Open Policy Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Upon recognition as the fourth RIR, LACNIC signed the MoU on 30 October 2002. The fifth RIR, AfriNIC, joined the ASO in April 2005.

A new MoU between ICANN and the Number Resource Organization, on behalf of the Regional Internet Registries, was signed on 21 October 2004 at ARIN XIV in Reston, Virginia.

The ASO Address Council (AC)

Each of the Regional Internet Registries appoints three members of the ASO Address Council (AC). Two members are selected by the regional policy forum of each of the RIRs and one member is appointed from the Executive Board of each RIR.

The purpose of the AC is to oversee recommendations on IP address policy. This includes the management of policy development activities. The other major aspect of the role is the appointment of directors to two seats on the ICANN Board of Directors.

Under the terms of the MoU signed between the ICANN and the RIRs in October 2004, the NRO Number Council now performs the role of the ASO AC.

Further Information

• ASO website
• ICANN website
• NRO website