Dear RIPE NCC members, We can now share two charging scheme models for 2027 that the Executive Board proposes that members will vote on at the RIPE NCC General Meeting on 20-22 May 2026. The RIPE NCC Charging Scheme 2027 options and supporting information are available at: https://www.ripe.net/membership/gm/meetings/may-2026/documents-and-archive/s... Overview Both proposed models aim for the same income budget of EUR 42.5 million, which is based on a 3.3% inflation increase using the Netherlands inflation rate of 2025 added to the 2026 income budget. This income budget is expected to cover a cost budget that includes a flat level of FTEs, a 3% increase on personnel costs, maintenance of all current services, and investments in IT infrastructure. It also includes a commitment to achieving a cost reduction of 1.5% overall. Both models assume 20,000 active LIR accounts for budget purposes. The mechanism that allows members to vote for a redistribution of any surplus accrued by the RIPE NCC in the following year remains in place. Following the consultation with members that started in 2025, the Board has decided to propose the existing one LIR account-one fee model (Option A) and a category model for members to vote on (Option B). The Board wants to give members a clear choice between continuing with the current model, in which all LIR accounts are charged the same annual fee, and moving to a new model that differentiates among LIR accounts based on the amount of PA IPv4 and IPv6 resources held in each account. The Board decided not to put forward the formula model because the category model is more understandable, transparent, and it makes it easier for members to predict their fees. Also, the Board did not want to offer two options based on differentiated fees in order to ensure there was a clear vote between the current model and the model with differentiated fees. The category model proposed is aligned with the majority of the principles put forward by the RIPE NCC Charging Scheme Task Force. The remaining principles will be discussed with the membership and can be implemented in the coming years as consensus is reached on how to do so effectively. The sign-up fee and the separate charges in both models are exactly the same, meaning there is a very clear choice for members between charging the same annual fee per LIR account and having different fees based on resources per LIR account. The main features of the two models proposed by the Board are as follows: Option A - One LIR Account-One Fee Model - Sign-up Fee: EUR 1,000 per LIR account - Annual Fee: EUR 1,894 per LIR account (EUR 94 increase) - ASN Fee: One ASN included in the Annual Fee if RIPE policy requirements are met; EUR 50 for each additional ASN - Independent Internet Number Resource Assignment Fee: EUR 75 per PI assignment - Legacy IPv4 Internet Resource Fee: Resource registrations through a sponsoring LIR: EUR 75; resources registered under direct contractual relationship with the RIPE NCC: EUR 75 The Board has heard the members who, when presented with the options during consultation, asked that the current model be presented as an option to vote. The Board puts forward the model for voting, with differences from the 2026 model relating to ASNs and Legacy resources. Option B - Category Model - Sign-up Fee: EUR 1,000 per LIR account - Annual Fee: LIR accounts are assigned to one of 21 categories depending on the amount of IPv4 or IPv6 PA resources in that LIR account - IPv6: A /29 of IPv6 PA space is included in the base fee per LIR account if RIPE policy requirements are met - ASN Fee: One ASN included in the Annual Fee if RIPE policy requirements are met; EUR 50 for each additional ASN - Independent Internet Number Resource Assignment Fee: EUR 75 per PI assignment - Legacy IPv4 Internet Resource Fee: Resource registrations through a sponsoring LIR: EUR 75; resources registered under direct contractual relationship with the RIPE NCC: EUR 75 In proposing this category model, the Board has responded to members who asked for increased differentiation between the lowest and highest fees. In this model, there is a base fee of EUR 500 for those LIR accounts with no PA IPv4 or those with a /29 or less of IPv6 PA resources, while the largest resource holder would pay over EUR 30,000. This is a threefold increase in the highest fee compared to the category model published during the consultation, meaning almost 75% of LIR accounts would pay less than they do currently. There are two higher categories that currently do not contain any LIR accounts - these are added in case any LIR account acquires resource registrations larger than a /6 of IPv4 PA or larger than a /11 of IPv6 PA. The Board also wants to encourage take-up of IPv6, and therefore a /29 of IPv6 PA is included (if RIPE policy requirements are met) in the base fee per LIR account. Similarly, the Board supports the idea of lowering the barrier for new network operators by including one ASN (if RIPE policy requirements are met) in the base fee per LIR account and only charging for additional ASN assignments. In this model, the Board also retains the existing charges of EUR 75 for Provider Independent registrations and for legacy IPv4 resource registrations through a sponsoring LIR. All legacy IPv4 resources registered under direct contractual relationship with the RIPE NCC will also be charged EUR 75 under this model. Recommendation from the Executive Board The Executive Board is putting forward two options that give members a very clear choice on how we fund the RIPE NCC for the coming years. The one LIR account-one fee model would mean we continue to charge members based on the principle of equality among members. The category model would mean a change of direction in which we adopt a new approach in which 75% of LIR accounts would pay less than they do currently while those with more PA resources would pay more. The Board recommends that members vote for Option B - Category Model at the upcoming GM. This model implements many of the principles from the Charging Scheme Task Force and would allow the other principles to be introduced gradually in the coming years. This category model would see fees reduced for approximately 75% of LIR accounts. Introducing possible new separate fees in line with task force principles could potentially increase the income for the RIPE NCC while keeping the income derived from the category fees neutral over time. At the upcoming RIPE Meeting, we will start to discuss issues surrounding multiple LIRs, PI and Legacy resources. We saw during the recent consultation and through our own analyses that charging in these areas is complex and needs consultation before we make significant changes. The proposed category model focuses on simplicity and allows members to make their choice based on the annual fee alone - one fee for all LIR accounts, or differentiation based on resources held. Calculate Your Potential Fees In order to help you assess the fees you might pay, we have provided a web-based calculator that allows you to manually enter the resources you hold and see what fees you would pay per LIR account under both options (or test different scenarios where more or fewer resources are held in your account). The calculator is available at: https://pricing.ripe.net/ We are also working to provide a version of the calculator in the LIR Portal that will automatically provide the fees for each option. We will announce this to members when work on the calculator is completed. The Importance of Voting The vote on the charging scheme is a very consequential vote for our members. It has the potential to change how we fund our services and charge our members, and it could mean that members will pay reduced or increased fees from 2027. Therefore, we strongly encourage all members to register to vote on this important topic. You can register quickly and easily in the LIR Portal: https://my.ripe.net/#/meetings/active Kind regards, Ondřej Filip RIPE NCC Executive Board Chair