Draft Policy ARIN-2017-8: Amend the definition of Community Network

[ARIN]

On 17 August 2017 the ARIN Advisory Council (AC) advanced 
"ARIN-prop-243: Amend the Definition of Community Network" to Draft 
Policy status.

Draft Policy ARIN-2017-8 is below and can be found at:
https://www.arin.net/policy/proposals/2017_8.html

You are encouraged to discuss all Draft Policies on PPML. The AC will 
evaluate the discussion in order to assess the conformance of this draft 
policy with ARIN's Principles of Internet number resource policy as 
stated in the Policy Development Process (PDP). Specifically, these 
principles are:

* Enabling Fair and Impartial Number Resource Administration
* Technically Sound
* Supported by the Community

The PDP can be found at:
https://www.arin.net/policy/pdp.html

Draft Policies and Proposals under discussion can be found at:
https://www.arin.net/policy/proposals/index.html

Regards,

Sean Hopkins
Policy Analyst
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)



Draft Policy ARIN-2017-8: Amend the Definition of Community Network

Problem Statement:

The Community Networks section of the NRPM has not been used since 
implementation in January 2010. Proposal ARIN-2016-7, to increase the 
number of use cases, was abandoned by the Advisory Council due to lack 
of feedback. Proposal ARIN 2017-2, to remove all mention of community 
networks from NRPM was met with opposition by the community. Many 
responded that the definition of “community network” was too narrow, 
which could be the reason for lack of uptake.

Policy statement:

CURRENT NRPM TEXT:

“2.11. Community Network

A community network is any network organized and operated by a volunteer 
group operating as or under the fiscal support of a nonprofit 
organization or university for the purpose of providing free or low-cost 
connectivity to the residents of their local service area. To be treated 
as a community network under ARIN policy, the applicant must certify to 
ARIN that the community network staff is 100% volunteers.”

NEW NRPM TEXT:

“2.11 Community Network

A community network is a network organized and operated by a volunteer 
group, not-for-profit, non-profit, charitable organization, or 
post-secondary institution for the purpose of providing free or low-cost 
connectivity to residents in their service area. Critical functions may 
be handled by paid staff, but volunteers play a large role in offering 
services available through community networks.”

Comments:

Timetable for implementation: Immediate