If you have been looking forward to buy IPv4 address blocks in any of the European countries, then you will need to get it approved by RIPE. Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) is the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) that governs IPv4 address trade in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia.
It can be a bit confusing to acquire IPv4 address blocks, especially for the first-timers, if they are not familiar with how the RIPE IPv4 transfer process works. Therefore, you need to understand the process well before entering into IPv4 address trade.
RIPE IPv4 Transfer Process
The first thing to do to get started with IPv4 address transfer is to register an account with RIPE. This will help you to appoint a Point of Contact (POC) and apply for a RIPE ORG-ID. You can link your POC with multiple ORG-IDs as well. However, there is no need for any pre-approval for IPv4 transfer within the RIPE region as that seen with ARIN and APNIC.
Note that you will have to apply for pre-approval if you are looking to buy IPv4 address blocks from the APNIC or ARIN region and transfer them to the RIPE region. If so, you will also need to show that your company will use at least half of the IPv4 addresses that you are planning to buy within 5 years of acquiring. During the IPv4 transfer, the justifications will be done as the RIPE is notified by the ARIN about the IPv4 address trade.
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IPv4 Transfer Process[/caption]
After you have acquired a RIPE ORG-ID, you will need to submit your company details as that listed with your secretary of state to get an IPv4 address purchase agreement. This includes the legal name of the company, your RIPE ORG-ID, as well as the details of the person authorized to do the IPv4 trade on behalf of the company. After both you and the seller have signed the IPv4 transfer agreement, you can make payment for the same via the designated mode.
You and the seller will then need to provide the POC details and company registration documents for the RIPE IPv4 transfer. You and the seller will also need to sign an IPv4 address transfer form and submit it to RIPE with all the necessary documents. RIPE will review the IPv4 address trade request and approve it if all the information provided is accurate and meets the standard norms. After the transfer tickets are approved, the Whois records will be updated to reflect your RIPE ORG-ID as the new owner.