Current policy of APNIC for transfer of number resources is complicated
and enforcement is also weak. This causes hoarding and underground
transfer of IP resources. Hence APNIC should consider simple system for
transfer of number resources from one entity to another.
It should either allow free transfer of number resources with facility for
registration with APNIC system to confirm transfers. In such a
situation, there would be free market for sale and purchase of number
resources and tendency for black marketing will be illuminated. When all
the resources are exhausted, users will have the option to buy at higher
cost or switch to IPv6 system.
Alternatively APNIC should completely ban transfer of numbers between
entities. Any person who has number resources should have only two
options either to use it or surrender to APNIC resource pool. No lateral
transfer should be permitted. There should be no recognition of bilateral
transfer in the APNIC system and any person who transfers resources
directly to other party will do it at his own risk and if APNIC comes to
know about it should cancel those allocations. All resources which are
received in APNIC resources pool should be allotted to waitlisted desirous
entities on first come first serve basis with due verification process. A
committee under APNIC may be constituted to consider cases of exceptional
importance where out of turn allotment should be permitted. Such cases
should be very small in number and should not ordinarily exceed 2% of
total allocation by APNIC in a year. Such exceptions with recorded
reasons for such exceptions should be placed before the Board of APNIC
every year.
In addition APNIC should also enforce some verification requirements for
entities seeking the number resources to be enforced by selling entities.
Ideally, Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements as applicable for opening
a bank account should be made applicable for such purchases as well.
Regards,
