RIPE NCC Sponsorship
Access IP Resources Without LIR Membership
RIPE Sponsorship: Get Resources Without LIR Membership
Obtain IP resources and maintain RIPE NCC membership through our LIR sponsorship.
Access IPv4/IPv6 allocations without establishing your own Local Internet Registry.
Part of our Registry Services
1-2 Week Timeline
Typical delivery
No LIR Fees
Save €1,400-2,000/year
24/7 RIPE Support
RIPE compliance
TL;DR Summary
Full RIPE NCC membership sponsorship for IP resources and ASN management.
What is RIPE Sponsorship?
RIPE sponsorship allows organizations to obtain and manage IP resources (ASN, IPv4, IPv6) without becoming a RIPE NCC Local Internet Registry (LIR) member. Instead, resources are allocated under an existing LIR's membership.
How It Works
Virtuasys, as an established RIPE LIR member since 2008, sponsors your resource requests with RIPE NCC. Resources are allocated to your organization but registered under our LIR membership. You maintain full operational control while we handle RIPE compliance and administration.
You Retain Full Control
- Complete routing autonomy for your ASN
- Full authority over IP address usage and assignment
- Your own reverse DNS configuration
- Independent BGP policies and peering arrangements
- Direct WHOIS registration updates
Why Choose Sponsorship Over Direct LIR?
Becoming a RIPE LIR member involves significant costs and administrative responsibilities. Sponsorship offers a practical alternative for many organizations.
Sponsored Resources
Pros
- ✓No annual LIR membership fees (€1,400-2,000/year)
- ✓No RIPE NCC application process (2-3 months)
- ✓Reduced paperwork and compliance burden
- ✓Faster resource allocation (1-2 weeks typical)
- ✓No minimum commitment period
- ✓We handle all RIPE policy compliance
- ✓24/7 technical support included
Cons
- ✗Resources registered under our LIR
- ✗Annual sponsorship management fee applies
- ✗Cannot sponsor resources to other organizations
- ✗Migration to direct LIR requires transfer process
Best for: Startups, small ISPs, enterprises needing ASN/IPs for 1-5 years, organizations testing market entry
Direct LIR Membership
Pros
- ✓Direct RIPE NCC member status
- ✓Can sponsor resources to customers
- ✓Independent LIR reputation and history
- ✓Full policy voting rights at RIPE
- ✓No sponsorship dependency
Cons
- ✗€2,000 signup fee + €1,400/year minimum
- ✗2-3 month application and approval process
- ✗Extensive documentation requirements
- ✗Annual compliance reporting obligations
- ✗Must maintain technical staff for RIPE interaction
Best for: Established ISPs, hosting companies with multiple customers, long-term network operators
What Resources We Sponsor
We can sponsor all standard RIPE resource types for your organization
Autonomous System Numbers
Both 16-bit and 32-bit ASNs for BGP routing and multi-homing
- 16-bit ASN: Standard format (AS12345)
- 32-bit ASN: Extended format for larger deployments
- Typical approval: 1-2 weeks
- Full BGP routing control
- RPKI ROA management included
IPv4 Address Blocks
Subject to RIPE policy and availability in secondary market
- Minimum: /24 (256 addresses)
- Maximum: Depends on justified need
- Requires detailed usage justification
- Clean reputation blocks available
- Reverse DNS setup included
IPv6 Address Blocks
Ample availability for all legitimate network needs
- Standard: /48 or /32 allocations
- No scarcity constraints
- Faster approval than IPv4
- Full RDNS delegation
- RPKI support included
Reverse DNS Management
Complete control over PTR records for your allocated space
- Direct zone delegation to your nameservers
- Or managed RDNS through our infrastructure
- Essential for email server operations
- DNSSEC support available
Sponsorship Process
From consultation to live resources in 1-2 weeks
Initial Consultation
We assess your resource needs (ASN, IPv4, IPv6) and verify sponsorship eligibility. Discuss your network plans and technical requirements.
Justification Preparation
We help prepare RIPE-compliant justification documentation. For IPv4: detailed IP assignment plans. For ASN: multi-homing or routing policy requirements.
RIPE Submission
We submit the resource request to RIPE NCC on your behalf. All correspondence handled through our LIR account. You're kept informed at every stage.
RIPE Review & Approval
RIPE NCC evaluates the request (typically 3-10 business days). We handle any clarification requests or additional documentation needs.
Resource Allocation
Upon approval, resources are allocated under our LIR and assigned to your organization. WHOIS records updated with your organization details.
Technical Setup
We configure ROA objects for RPKI, set up reverse DNS delegation, and provide routing guidance. Full documentation provided.
Ongoing Management
Annual RIPE compliance reporting, WHOIS updates, ROA maintenance, and 24/7 technical support for RIPE-related matters.
Typical timeline: 1-2 weeks from initial consultation to live resources. IPv4 may take longer depending on market availability and justification complexity.
Benefits of Sponsored Resources
All the resources, none of the LIR overhead
Significant Cost Savings
Avoid €2,000 signup fee and €1,400+ annual LIR membership fees. Pay only for resources and management services you actually use.
Faster Time to Market
Skip the 2-3 month LIR application process. Get resources allocated in 1-2 weeks through our established membership.
Zero Administrative Burden
We handle all RIPE paperwork, compliance reporting, policy updates, and annual documentation. Focus on your network, not bureaucracy.
Expert RIPE Guidance
Leverage our 17+ years of RIPE LIR experience. We know RIPE policies inside-out and help you navigate requirements efficiently.
Full Operational Control
Despite sponsorship, you maintain complete control over routing, assignments, reverse DNS, and all technical aspects of your resources.
RPKI and Security
We manage ROA objects for BGP route origin validation. Your routes are protected against hijacking with proper RPKI deployment.
Flexible Scaling
Start small and request additional resources as you grow. No commitment to long-term LIR membership until you're ready.
Migration Path Available
If you later decide to become a direct LIR, we support resource transfer to your own membership.
Costs & Pricing Structure
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
Sponsorship costs vary based on resource type, quantity, and management requirements. All pricing is transparent and discussed upfront.
Cost Factors
- Resource Type
ASN, IPv4, or IPv6 allocation. IPv4 has market-based pricing due to scarcity.
- Block Size
Larger IPv4 blocks command higher market rates. IPv6 pricing is allocation-based, not size-based.
- RIPE Fees
RIPE NCC charges per-resource fees (passed through at cost with no markup).
- Management Services
Annual fee covers RIPE compliance, WHOIS updates, ROA management, and technical support.
- Setup & Documentation
One-time fee for initial RIPE submission, justification preparation, and technical configuration.
What's Included in Management Fee
- Annual RIPE NCC compliance reporting
- WHOIS database updates and maintenance
- RPKI ROA object creation and updates
- Reverse DNS delegation support
- 24/7 technical support for RIPE matters
- Policy change notifications and guidance
- Documentation and best practices
Contact us for a detailed quote based on your specific resource requirements. We'll provide a clear breakdown of all costs involved.
Your Responsibilities as Resource Holder
While we handle RIPE administration, you maintain responsibilities for proper resource usage and compliance with RIPE policies.
Accurate WHOIS Data
Maintain current contact information and organization details in RIPE database. Notify us promptly of any changes.
Justified Usage
Use resources according to the justification provided to RIPE. Maintain assignment documentation for potential audits.
Policy Compliance
Adhere to RIPE NCC policies regarding resource usage, transfers, and assignment practices.
Network Operations
Properly configure BGP routing, maintain network security, and respond to abuse reports related to your resources.
Payment Obligations
Timely payment of sponsorship fees. Failure to pay may result in resource reclamation by RIPE NCC.
Communication
Respond to RIPE-related inquiries forwarded through our LIR account. Provide requested documentation when needed.
We provide guidance and support for all these responsibilities. You're never left navigating RIPE requirements alone.
Transitioning to Direct LIR Membership
As your organization grows, you may decide to become a direct RIPE LIR member. We support this transition.
When to Consider Direct LIR
- You plan to sponsor resources to your own customers
- You need multiple resource allocations annually
- You want independent LIR reputation and history
- You require voting rights in RIPE policy discussions
- Your organization has dedicated network operations staff
Transition Process
- 1Apply for RIPE LIR membership (we can guide you through this)
- 2Complete RIPE NCC's LIR application and documentation
- 3Once approved, initiate resource transfer from our LIR to yours
- 4RIPE updates resource registration to your LIR account
- 5You assume all LIR responsibilities and benefits
We've helped numerous sponsored customers transition to direct LIR status. We'll support your transition with documentation, guidance, and technical assistance throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RIPE sponsorship
Request Sponsorship Quote
Get your ASN, IPv4, or IPv6 resources without LIR membership fees.
Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Or view ASN registration options