Perhaps I'm splitting hairs, but: it's not priced the same (as far as non-member legacy holders are concerned.) It's priced a one-off fee of €2000 higher than becoming a LIR, and €2000+€1550 per year higher than using the services of an existing member.
It's the same cost as setting up a new lir from scratch using proposed 2015 pricing. I.e. it will be marginally cheaper than in 2014, but the pricing will be equalised next year.
The annual fee is the same, yes, but also in the 2015 charging scheme: "Legacy Internet resource holders that become a member do not have to pay a sign-up fee." So for the audience of 2012-07, becoming a LIR is a flat one-off €2000 cheaper than a separate direct agreement. BTW to be clear: removing the signup fee for DAU (or adding it back for becoming a LIR) would still not in my opinion be a meaningful implementation of option 2.4. All the best, Dave -- Dave Wilson, Project Manager web: www.heanet.ie HEAnet Ltd, 5 George's Dock, IFSC, Dublin 1 tel: +353-1-660-9040 Registered in Ireland, no 275301 fax: +353-1-660-3666