I strongly support proposal 2007-01 which states this on the web page: ----------- This proposal states that a contractual relationship between an End User and a sponsoring LIR or the RIPE NCC must be established before the End User receives Internet number resources (Autonomous System (AS) Number, Provider Independent (PI) IPv4 and IPv6, Internet Exchange Point (IXP) and anycasting assignments) directly from the RIPE NCC. It also states that the text in the policy should mention more explicitly that PI assignments can not be sub-assigned. ------------ I've been personally stuck in the middle of PI applications by end users and I don't believe that we, as an LIR, add any value to the process. In some cases, I believe we just create problems because we end up passing on messages between RIPE and the End User instead of allowing the two parties to communicate directly. After all, PI means Provider Independent, and since LIRs are providers, shouldn't the End User be independent of us when they apply for their addresses? Also, I have had experience on several occasions, of helping End Users in the ARIN region apply for PI allocations there. My role was to advise, explain, educate and to review their applications before they submitted them to ARIN. Every one of these End Users were eventually successful in their application, in fact one of them got it approved the same day they applied. The reason I am telling you this is to point out, that giving End Users a direct relationship with RIPE, does not mean that the LIRs are blocked from the whole process. If the End User is a customer, we can still help them by advising, explaining, educating and reviewing the applications before they go to RIPE. --Michael Dillon