[arin-ppml] Downstreams, needs less than /24 and PI availability

[Benson Schliesser]

Hi, Marty.

On Oct 6, 2011, at 2:15 PM, Martin Hannigan wrote:

> There are some symptoms of v4 exhaustion emerging and I think that it
> is reasonable to treat them.
> 

I agree with this principle.  But...

> Any thoughts?
> 
> Proposal:
> 
> Networks that have assigned resources utilized less than 80% in
> aggregate must provide their single homed downstream connected
> networks IPv4 addresses to number their network into even IF the
> downstream has their own provider independent address space AND their
> need is longer than /24. ARIN, upon request of a network refused
> addresses as a single-homed downstream with provider independent
> addresses AND a need longer than /24 must initiate a Section 12 audit
> upon a reasonable belief that a violation of this policy has occurred.
> 
> Rationale: Promote overall NRPM compliance capability for "all"
> networks, promote efficient use of v4 addresses and to reduce table
> bloat.

I think such a policy would be a bad idea.  The fundamental problem I have with this text, is that it assumes all downstream customers are equally valuable to the ISP.  For instance, an ISP might wish to reserve IP addresses for a high-margin aspect of their business - perhaps even at the cost of losing other customers.  This policy might result in artificial incentives that ultimately harm the ISP business, reduce competition in the ISP market, etc.

Cheers,
-Benson