[address-policy-wg] Re: ICANN vs RIPE NCC, was Re: Summary of the PI ......

>I am not looking to break the natural monopoly, but rather I am looking to
>move to a situation where the "monopoly" stuff is walled off from the
>optional stuff that RIPE/RIPE-NCC management (and friends) use to pay for
>their own pet projects. I am happy to pay on a cost basis for the "monopoly"
>stuff, but I don't get a choice.


This was something i raised years ago prompted mainly by the test traffic 
white elephant which used registry monies to plod along and then eventually 
go on a subscription basis, and this something i had no intention of ever 
using but still the registry i was with paid its money and had no say over 
how it was used. Something that has been repeated over and over again is 
that the NCC should be a registry not a research dept for internet trends 
and toys. There should be 4 main functions
1.registry services (good and timely)
2. database repository (and related DB functions)
3. Training services (mainly for new LIR's to get them up to speed)
4. RIPE meeting organization

All of which the NCC do well and should be commended, anything else is 
surplus to requirement there is one other thing the NCC has never done and 
never fully justified and that is a help desk you can talk to. Other RIR's 
do it. I think it helps cut away the sterile faceless image and lets you 
see what you are getting for your money - discuss

Stephen Burley
Internet Communications Consultant
Africonnect