Charging Scheme Model Consultation: Phase 2

Phase 2: Separate Charges

Phase 2 of the charging scheme model consultation focuses on separate charges. In this phase, we have presented possible charges in line with the task force’s principles.

There are two groups of charges set out below:

Group 1: Charges based on task force recommendations

Group 2: Possible other charges, discounts and incentives

These charges would be paid on top of the annual fee, which was discussed in Phase 1 and the outcome of which will be voted on by members at the General Meeting in May 2026.

At this stage, we are presenting charges that are already in place or that are recommended by the Charging Scheme Task Force. We also present some that are more out-of-the-box ideas, including discounts and incentivisations, that could have unknown impacts that we hope the members will discuss and give feedback on.

It is important to note that this is a consultation, and we are looking for your opinion on which charges make sense and would be acceptable for members. No charges or figures are set in stone - we present them here to give you options and ideas to discuss. We need member input before we make a final draft charging scheme that we can bring to the Executive Board for its consideration in March.

In parallel, we are carrying out impact analyses to determine what changes would need to be made to our systems in order to accommodate new types of charges, and whether they would be possible to implement for 2027 or need to be phased in over multiple years. The proposed models and the separate charges presented here potentially add a great deal of complexity, so we will be careful to ensure we propose charges that can be accommodated by our systems.

We plan to publish the impact analysis when proposing the draft charging scheme for members to vote on in April.

Feedback requested

There are many options for how we could handle separate charges. We would particularly welcome feedback on:

• Which fees you believe should or should not be introduced and why
• Feedback on the possible charges and discounts we could offer in Group 2
• The potential impact of the proposed charges on different types of members and non-members
• Any concerns about implementation or transition, including unintended consequences
• Suggestions for alternative approaches or adjustments

Share your feedback

Your input is essential to shaping the Charging Scheme proposal that will go to the membership for approval.

Please share your comments, questions, and suggestions on the Members Discuss mailing list.

Group 1: Charges Based on Task Force Recommendations

This group represents the charges based on the principles in the RIPE NCC Charging Scheme Task Force Report.

Member-Based Charging Model

The proposed separate charges are based on a member-based charging model, rather than an LIR account approach. Under Models A and B consulted on in Phase 1, fees are applied to RIPE NCC members, reflecting the total resources held by that member regardless of how many LIR accounts that member has. For instance, with the proposal that members receive one free ASN and are then charged for additional ASNs, a member with three LIR accounts each with an ASN would be charged for two of those ASNs.

With the current charging model, there are financial barriers to getting an IPv4 allocation from the waiting list. With the recommendation to charge per member rather than per LIR account, that financial barrier is significantly lowered due to the removal of the annual fee per LIR account. Therefore, we are proposing a set of alternative fees that would accommodate charging per member and allow us flexibility in how we charge for this while maintaining financial barriers that would protect the integrity of the waiting list.

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principles.

Proposed Fees

New Member Sign-up Fee: EUR 1,000

We would continue the membership sign-up fee for new members, which includes registration of an LIR account. This fee would be for new members only and a fee would be introduced for any additional LIR accounts a member opens (see below).

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principle(s).

LIR Account Sign-up Fee (additional LIR account): EUR 1,500

A separate LIR account fee of EUR 1,500 would be introduced. This one-off fee would apply when a member creates an additional LIR account.

While the task force principles favoured a member-based charging scheme, current RIPE policy, including eligibility to join the IPv4 Waiting List, still requires the existence of an LIR account. The RIPE NCC will therefore continue to provide a mechanism for members to create and maintain LIR accounts.

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principle(s).

IPv4 Waiting List Sign-up Fee: EUR 2,000

As the next charging scheme model will likely move to a member-based charging model, there would be changes in how a member joins the IPv4 waiting list.

In the current LIR-based approach, a member must open a new LIR account to join the IPv4 Waiting List and pay the associated sign-up and annual fees for the time they are on the list.

This proposed IPv4 Waiting List fee would replace this process. Instead of paying the annual fee for an undefined period of time, members would pay the one-off LIR account fee, the IPv4 waiting list sign-up fee and the IPv4 allocation fee. The intention here is to make the costs around IPv4 allocations less time-dependent and more predictable for members.

If the RIPE community were to change policy to remove the requirement for an additional LIR account to join the IPv4 waiting list, this fee would need to be re-evaluated.

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principle(s).

IPv4 Allocation Fee (from waiting list): EUR 750

Under the proposed per-member approach (see IPv4 waiting list sign-up fee above), the IPv4 Allocation Fee would be charged as a one-off fee at the time the allocation is made. The member could also choose to not pay the fee and not take the allocation.

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principle(s).

PI Assignment Fee: EUR 75

PI Assignment fee could remain at EUR 75 per IPv4 and IPv6 PI assignment.

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principle(s).

Additional ASN Fee: EUR 50

One ASN would be available to each member without charge, as per the task force principle.

A EUR 50 fee would be applied for any additional ASN assignments.

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principle(s).

Merger and Acquisition Fee: EUR 500

The Merger and Acquisition fee would apply to requests involving the transfer or consolidation of resources as part of a merger, acquisition, or similar corporate restructuring.

These cases typically require additional review, documentation checks, and coordination, resulting in higher administrative effort and therefore costs.

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principle(s).

Outgoing Transfer Fee: EUR 350

The outgoing transfer fee of EUR 350 would apply when a member transfers Internet number resources out of their account, whether to another RIPE NCC member or to an organisation in another RIR region.

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principle(s).

Incoming Transfer Fee: EUR 350

The incoming transfer fee of EUR 350 would apply when a member receives Internet number resources into their account, including transfers originating from within the RIPE NCC service region as well as from another RIR region.

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principle(s).

Legacy Registry Update Fee: EUR 250

The Legacy Registry Update fee would apply to legacy Internet number resource holders who are not RIPE NCC members and who do not have a contractual relationship with the RIPE NCC.

The fee would be charged when holders request an update to registry records for legacy Internet number resources.

Read the related Charging Scheme Task Force principle(s).

Summary of Charges in Group 1

* One-off fee on creation of an additional LIR account

** Every member entitled to one free ASN with each additional charged at EUR 50

Group 2: Possible other charges, discounts and incentives

The group below consists of ideas that have not been widely discussed previously and need member input in order to refine and determine feasibility.

Alternative PI Assignment Fee: EUR 1,000

PI assignments are used predominantly by sponsoring LIRs. While the service provides value to End Users, the current fee level offers limited incentive for organisations with ongoing or growing resource needs to consider RIPE NCC membership.

One option could be to increase the PI assignment fee to a closer level to the membership fee, for example, by increasing the PI assignment fee from EUR 75 to EUR 1,000 per IPv4 and IPv6 PI assignment.

Increasing this fee could be a potential incentive for non-members using this service to become members, as it is financially more cost-effective, would give End Users more security round the resources they use and would also cover costs associated with compliance the RIPE NCC incurs for End Users. It could also be a means to increase the RIPE NCC member base, reducing the annual fee burden across the membership.

Alternative Legacy Registry Update Fee: EUR 1,500

In line with the principles outlined in the task force report, this higher fee could act to financially encourage legacy resource holders to enter into a formal relationship with the RIPE NCC, either by becoming members or by establishing an appropriate contractual arrangement. This potential effect would be further increased in combination with the below discount for legacy holders. It could also be a means to increase the RIPE NCC member base, reducing the annual fee burden across the membership.

Discount for legacy resource holders who become members

A percentage discount on the membership fee could be applied for legacy Internet number resource holders who choose to become RIPE NCC members. This discount is intended to financially incentivise the transition of legacy holders into members, while recognising their historical position within the RIPE NCC service region.

This would be a temporary, annual discount on their annual fee, designed to financially incentivise membership. The level of discount depends on the year they join: those joining in 2027 would receive a 50% discount on the Annual fee for five years, those joining in 2028 would receive a 40% discount on the Annual fee for four years, and so on. This discounted rate would apply annually until the end of 2031, after which standard membership fees would apply in full.

Please note the provided discount is for parties who are currently non-members who we have no legal basis to charge, so therefore we are willing to provide significant discounts.

50% discount for educational institutions

A 50% discount on the membership fee could be available to eligible educational institutions.

Eligibility would be determined using an objective, externally maintained classification list of educational institutions. The RIPE NCC would not make discretionary decisions about which organisations qualify for the discount but base this discount on an internationally recognised list.

Discount for members in lower income countries

Following suggestions made on the members-discussion list over the years, we also propose that a discount on the membership fee could be available to members based in countries classified as lower-income. Using an established international classification could provide an objective and non-judgemental basis for applying this discount. However, most lists do not categorise many countries as lower-income in our service region and there are significant risks involved in allowing discounts based on location. We currently doubt that we could implement this proposal successfully, although we are willing to hear from the members if they have ideas that could be implemented.

Summary of Charges in Group 2