ACSP Consultation 2024.2: Consultation on Approaches for Adjusting the ARIN Registration Services Plan Fee Schedule

Consultation Tracking Information

Requested By: Staff
Status: Closed
Comments Opened: Linked to Discussion Archives: 3 April 2024
Comments Closed: 03 May 2024
Suggestion Number: n/a

Consultation Description

The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) is currently evaluating potential methods to adjust our Registration Services Plan Fee Schedule and is inviting feedback from the community. Our goal is to maintain a balanced alignment between operating costs and revenue, ensuring equitable cost recovery across our diverse community.

In the past, ARIN has chosen not to automatically adjust the fee schedule annually, instead opting for larger, less frequent adjustments based on the changing landscape of ARIN’s operating costs. These costs include variations in staffing expenses, such as salaries and healthcare, as well as fluctuations in the cost of contracted services.

Given the ongoing nature of these expenses, and in pursuit of a sustainable fiscal strategy, the ARIN Board of Trustees is considering two distinct approaches for future fee adjustments:

Option A

Continue with the current practice of periodically reviewing the alignment between annual revenue and operating costs. Following community consultation, necessary adjustments would be made to the registration services fees to address any discrepancies and recover reserves used during periods of misalignment. This method has been effective but can lead to significant and unpredictable fee increases.

Option B

Introduce a structured approach to fee adjustments, allowing for an annual increase of no more than 5%, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. This strategy aims to offer a predictable and manageable escalation in fees, aligning more closely with the budget planning processes of many organizations within our community.

The ARIN Board of Trustees is exploring the feasibility of adopting Option B, which would include a specific amendment to the Registration Services Plan Fee Schedule stating, “The annual Registration Services Plan fee for each service category is subject to an annual increase (as approved by the ARIN Board of Trustees) of no greater than 5%.” We are seeking community input on this potential adjustment to the fee schedule.

Please view the proposed Registration Services Plan Fee Schedule (with italicized markup for proposed addition) at:

https://www.arin.net/participate/community/acsp/consultations/2024/2024_2_proposedfeeschedule.pdf

This consultation will be open for 30 days. Following this period, a summary of the feedback received will be presented to the Board of Trustees for their consideration.

We encourage the community to share their perspectives and preferences regarding these options. Please send your comments to arin-consult@arin.net. You can subscribe to this mailing list at: http://lists.arin.net/mailman/listinfo/arin-consult.

The discussion on arin-consult@arin.net will conclude at 5:00 PM ET on Friday, 3 May.

Regards,

John Curran
President and CEO
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)

ARIN Actions

13 May 2024

From 3 April to 3 May 2024, ARIN held a consultation seeking feedback from the community regarding potential methods to adjust ARIN’s Registration Services Plan Fee Schedule to maintain a balanced alignment between operating costs and revenue, ensuring equitable cost recovery across its diverse community.

Given the ongoing nature of these expenses, and in pursuit of a sustainable fiscal strategy, the ARIN Board of Trustees asked for community input on two distinct approaches for future fee adjustments:

Continue with the current practice of periodically reviewing the alignment between annual revenue and operating costs, and institute any necessary adjustments following community consultation.
Introduce a structured approach to fee adjustments, allowing for an annual increase of no more than 5%, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. This strategy aims to offer a predictable and manageable escalation in fees, aligning more closely with the budget planning processes of many organizations within our community.

ARIN would like to thank the community members who provided feedback and asked questions over the consultation period. There was support for moving to the annual structured approach for fee adjustments, but no overall consensus emerged in the discussion about which approach was best. During the discussion there were several additional points raised which will be considered by the Board of Trustees in determining the path forward, including: 

Defining the timing for the announcement of any annual increase to fees to aid in organizations with their budgeting.
Identifying if an index should be utilized in determining the increase in any given year.

ARIN thanks those who provided valuable feedback on this consultation. We rely on this input from our members and community to help steer the organization as we continue our mission supporting the operation and growth of the Internet.