Automated Self-Service to End Sponsoring of Independent Resources

In the early days of Internet number resource allocation, it was recognised that not only large telecom operators require resources - small and technically independent organisations do as well. To avoid renumbering every time these smaller organisations changed providers, they were able to receive Provider Independent (PI) IPv4 - and later, IPv6 resources and AS Numbers - without becoming RIPE NCC members.

This approach worked, but it also meant that the RIPE NCC often lost a certain degree of visibility once the resources were issued. Changes in resource usage or ownership could go unnoticed, and inaccuracies started to creep into the registry data.

To address this, the RIPE community approved Policy Proposal 2007-01 in 2009, introducing the sponsoring LIR model. Under this model, RIPE NCC members can enter into a contractual relationship with PI resource holders to ensure that their registration details remain accurate. This approach was - and still is - unique among the five RIRs, since in all other regions, every resource holder must have a direct contract with the RIR itself.

Over time, this model has seen mixed results. While many sponsoring LIRs have actively maintained contact and update records, others have struggled to keep data current, especially for older PI assignments. That said, after the RIPE NCC Charging Scheme 2025 was voted in in 2024 - introducing added fees for sponsored resources (€75 per IPv4/IPv6 block as well as €50 per ASN) - we saw a sharp rise in activity among sponsoring LIRs. Most notably, an increase in the number of requests to end sponsorships.

Through the course of 2024, we received requests to end sponsorships for approximately 2,200 independent resources. As you can see from the above plot, around 60% of those requests were processed over the last two months of the year, with 40% having been dealt with in December alone.

This end-of-year rush isn’t new to us at the RIPE NCC - invoices are calculated based on what resources members hold as of 1 January - but the sudden influx of requests to end sponsorships was, and it led to a steep rise in the workload of our Registration Services team, causing delays for members and end-users.

Now, as we approach the end of 2025, we can already see the same trend beginning to emerge, and we expect to see this repeated in the years ahead.

Introducing a new self-service request form

To remedy the problems described, we are pleased to launch a fully automated workflow for ending sponsorship of PI resources - improving accuracy, speed, and usability.

What the new form offers:

• Immediate execution - no waiting for manual confirmation;
• Reduced workload and fewer errors;
• Clearer flow - one End User per request;
• Better follow-up data thanks to updated contact information;
• Option to return unused resources to the free pool.

How it works:

You can access the form the same way as you used to inform the RIPE NCC about changes:

This will bring you to a new request form, which is also in a new environment.

Select the sponsored end user (one customer per request to reduce the risk of mis-selection).

Then choose which resources to unsponsor:

• All resources for the End User
• Only specific ones no longer in use or contracted

In the next step, you can indicate whether you only want to remove the sponsorship for the resources or whether the resources should be returned to the free pool, for example if they are no longer required or the End User has ceased operations. For the latter option, a confirmation from the resource holder is required, and you can upload a document containing their statement.

No such confirmation is needed if you are simply stopping the sponsorship.

Next, we will ask you to provide the most up-to-date email address for your customer. While this is not mandatory, sharing the latest contact details greatly helps both the RIPE NCC and your former customer in the follow-up process, as you often have more recent information than we do.

Of course, the RIPE NCC will also use the contact details already in our records to reach out to the End User.

That’s it - once you review and confirm your request, a ticket will be created for your reference.

The key improvement is what happens next: the sponsorship will be stopped immediately and automatically. This marks the first true self-service workflow in Registry Services, giving you an instant result without waiting for manual confirmation from a RIPE NCC resource analyst (which previously took at least one working day).

If the End User wishes to keep the resources, they'll automatically be informed that they'll need to arrange a new Sponsoring LIR. If the resources are no longer needed, they'll get information on how we'll proceed with the return request.

By automating these steps, we significantly reduce manual workload within Registration Services, allowing our staff to focus more on the evaluation and processing of other requests, ultimately improving service for everyone.

Naturally, a self-service option also comes with increased responsibility on your side. For consistency and accuracy, we will currently only process stop-sponsorship requests submitted through this specific form. Please ensure that you genuinely intend to terminate the sponsorship before submitting your request. If you later decide to sponsor the same End User again, you will need to enter into a new Sponsoring LIR Agreement.

Please also note that if you terminate a Sponsoring LIR Agreement before 31 December, only to sign a new agreement for the same resource after 1 January, the RIPE NCC will consider the agreement as uninterrupted during this period.

What’s next?

We are committed to offering more self-service capabilities soon, especially for:

• Member administration
• Resource registration and updates
• Streamlined contractual processes

User testing at RIPE 91 identified several promising areas, and this new form is the first of many improvements to come. On that note, if you're willing to help out on this front, you can read more about user research at the RIPE NCC on our website. In the meantime, stay tuned for further enhancements that support accuracy, efficiency, and a better member experience.