Formation of ICANN and the ASO

The global Internet governance landscape began to undergo radical changes in mid 1998 with the publication of a United States government white paper outlining the formation of a “not-for-profit corporation formed by private sector Internet stakeholders to administer policy for the Internet name and address system”. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was formed later that year.

At the heart of the ICANN structure are “supporting organizations” which are formed to “assist, review and develop recommendations on Internet policy and structure” within specialized areas. In October 1999, the existing RIRs and ICANN jointly signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the principles for forming and operating the Address Supporting Organization (ASO). It is intended that new RIRs will sign the MoU as they emerge.

Under the ASO MoU, the policy forums within each of the RIR regions continue to be responsible for the development of regional IP address policy. In addition, each signatory RIR is responsible for electing three members to the ICANN Address Council.

The purpose of the Address Council, as described in the MoU, is to review and develop recommendations on issues related to IP address space, using the open processes that exist in the three regions; and to advise the ICANN Board on these matters. In addition, the Address Council is responsible for the appointment of three ICANN Directors to the ICANN Board.

RIR-ASO coordination

Since the formation of the ASO, the RIRs have played an integral part in facilitating its activities. By joint agreement, the RIRs will share the ASO secretariat duties, including the hosting of the ASO web site, on a revolving basis. APNIC provided these services in the ASOs first year of operation, and RIPE NCC is currently performing this role.

The ASO Address Council holds monthly telephone conferences, which are attended by representatives of the RIRs (and emerging RIRs on a listener basis). In accordance with the MoU, the ASO also holds regular open meetings in conjunction with the open policy meetings of the RIRs.

RIRs and industry development

As noted previously, the RIRs maintain high levels of participation in the conferences and activities of other organizations. Similarly, they invite the participation of interested parties in their own activities.

The RIRs are active in many areas of new technology implementation (such as GPRS and UMTS mobile telephony, IPv6, and cable and xDSL-based Internet services). The established regional processes have proved both flexible and open enough to incorporate such new developments into policy formation. Industry representatives frequently join policy discussions, present at plenary sessions, and participate in working groups.

The RIRs pursue relationships with industry bodies, particularly those with representative and developmental functions, to facilitate industry convergence on open standards and policy processes.
Many diverse parties have legitimate interests in the allocation and registration of IP addresses, and the RIRs remain committed to participating with these parties to achieve a consensus among the Internet community on IP address allocation issues.