RIPE proposals to simplify first ASNs and revise IPv6 PI move to Review Phase

What changed

The RIPE Chair Team's September update (22 September 2026) reports two policy proposals moving to Review Phase in the Address Policy Working Group:

• 2026-01, Simplify assignment of first ASN. Published on 7 July 2026 by Urban Suhadolnik and Leo Vegoda. It would remove the needs assessment for the first AS number assigned to an IP prefix holder. Additional AS numbers would still require a new, unique routing policy. The proposal's rationale points to the large 32-bit ASN pool. The next step is an Impact Analysis from the RIPE NCC.
• 2024-01, Revised IPv6 PI Assignment Policy. Also in Review Phase. The Chair Team notes growing concern about the proposal's complexity and a suggestion to split it into several proposals.

Separately, the RIPE NCC is preparing a proposal to clarify the IPv6 Assignment and Allocation Policy (ripe-738). An earlier ASN proposal, 2025-01, was withdrawn and archived in July 2026.

Why it matters for BYOIP teams

Some cloud and CDN BYOIP setups let customers originate their prefixes from their own AS number, and BYOIPv6 depends on holding suitable IPv6 space. Lower friction for a first ASN and clearer IPv6 PI rules would make both easier for smaller organisations in the RIPE NCC service region.

What to check

• The RIPE NCC Impact Analysis for 2026-01 when it is published.
• Whether 2024-01 is split, and what each part would change for PI holders.
• The Address Policy sessions at RIPE 93 (26-30 October, Sofia).