What is a Local Internet Registry (LIR)?

Local Internet Registry (LIR) is a term used to describe the members of the RIPE NCC. They are called LIRs because they are responsible for the distribution of address space and registration of the address space on a local level. LIRs also ensure that policies and procedures are followed on the local level. Organisations that become LIRs are mainly Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that assign and allocate address space on to their customers, telecom and enterprise organisations, as well as academic institutions. For more information about LIRs, please see the Membership section.

LIRs can also request independent Internet number resources (AS Numbers, Provider Independent (PI) address space, Anycast assignments or IPv6 Internet Exchange Point (IXP) address space) for their End Users.