APNIC starts rationing IPv4 addresses

Stuart Corner
Friday, 15 April 2011 17:52

IT Policy - Regulation

The Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) has reached the last block of IPv4 addresses in its '¨available pool, and has initiated a major change in regional delegation policy, rationing IPv4 addresses.

"This event is a key turning point in IPv4 exhaustion for the Asia '¨Pacific, as the remaining IPv4 space will be 'rationed' to network '¨operators to be used as essential connectivity with next-generation IPv6 '¨addresses," APNIC said.

All new and existing APNIC members who meet the current '¨allocation criteria will be entitled to a maximum delegation of 1,024 IPv4 addresses.'¨ APNIC said that, without that block of IPv4 space, new network operators would find it difficult or '¨impossible to connect to the Internet, even with large IPv6 address '¨allocations available from APNIC.'¨'¨

APNIC director general Paul Wilson said the Asia Pacific region had become the first to reach the point of being unable to meet IPv4 demand, because of the unprecedented fixed and mobile network growth in the region.

"From this day onwards, IPv6 is '¨mandatory for building new Internet networks and services. As the APNIC region is home '¨to many developing economies, this policy will conserve adequate space '¨for new entrants to the regional and global market," he said.

"Economic activity in the Asia Pacific continues to gain momentum. The '¨high rate of new entrants to the Internet industry is still increasing '¨and under this policy these newcomers will always have access to enough '¨IPv4 address space to begin operations in today's market."

He added: "The Asia Pacific region must quickly become the leader in IPv6 '¨deployment so that it can maintain strong Internet growth rates in large '¨maturing economies such as India and China. Smaller economies, such as '¨some Pacific Island nations, are already showing high rates of IPv6 '¨delegations. We are well on the way to being the first 'IPv6-enabled region', but we '¨have to keep the momentum strong. ISPs in the Asia Pacific must begin '¨transition plans if they have not already done so."