Charging Scheme Model Consultation: Phase 1

We’ve launched a multi-phase consultation to develop a future charging scheme that aligns with the Charging Scheme Task Force principles and supports our long-term financial stability.

Consultation Phase 1: Annual fee models

Phase 1 focuses on how the annual fee will be calculated. This fee is paid by every member and represents the majority of our income.

We invite you to review and comment on two draft models for the annual fee.

One is a category model (Model A) and the second is a formula model (Model B). Interactive calculators are provided so you can test each model using your own resource holdings or test different scenarios.

Phases 2 and 3

A full Charging Scheme proposal, combining the annual fee (Phase 1) and the separate charges (Phase 2), will be published in April 2026 ahead of a vote at the May 2026 General Meeting (Phase 3).

Feedback we're looking for

We are specifically interested in your feedback on how the models work in practice. We would like your feedback on how suitable these models are, whether they are fair, easy to understand, and whether their structures make sense for our membership.

Note on the numbers used

At this stage, we are not setting the final revenue level and all figures are illustrative. Both use a base fee of EURO 500 and a maximum fee of EURO 10,000. We have also set the revenue amount to EURO 40 million as this is similar to our current revenue. Though these values are placeholders and can change. We will refine the figures in cooperation with the Executive Board.

Model A: Category-Based Charging Scheme

How Model A works

Model A groups members into 20 categories defined by CIDR-based thresholds for total PA IPv4 and IPv6 holdings. A member’s category is determined by the higher of their IPv4 or IPv6 holdings.

Example:

A member holding a /22 and a /23 is placed in the same category as a member holding a single /22.

Download the calculator

Members can download an Excel calculator to:

• Convert IPv4 and IPv6 notations into /24 and /32 units
• Enter resource totals and see the corresponding category
• Adjust parameters to test different outcomes
• Compare fee levels across categories

How to use the Model A calculator

Calculator 1

The first calculator helps turn IPv4 and IPv6 notations into the required /24 IPv4 and /32 IPv6 units for the second calculator.

You will need to use this calculator multiple times if you hold more than one allocation.

Calculator 2

• Enter your resource totals in the green cells (IPv4 in multiples of /24, IPv6 in multiples of /32)
• Calculate per member, not per LIR account
• The final fee is based on whichever category (IPv4 or IPv6) places you higher
• Feel free to enter any input you like to see what this would mean for members with more or fewer resources than you have yourself
• You may adjust the yellow parameter cells (base fee and factors) to test different category price outcomes
• A full table of categories is included in the second tab of the spreadsheet
  

Tip: To better understand how the calculator works, you can remove the input in the yellow cells for Base fee, Factor 1 and Factor 2, then re-enter these three values one by one while observing the effect on the fee. This way you can see what the fee would do depending on your own inputs.

Questions for Members

Are the category boundaries appropriate and intuitive?

Should certain categories be split or combined?

Do the boundaries create any unintended incentives or risks?

Does this model reflect the Task Force’s equity principle?

Model B: Formula-Based Charging Scheme

How Model B works

Model B uses a single formula to calculate each member’s fee based on:

• A base fee (500 EURO)
• Factor 1: Amount set manually for us to achieve EURO 40 million revenue and a maximum fee is set at EURO 10k)
• Factor 2: Provides an extra option to increase the fee spread between members
• A unique identifier: Produced by applying a LOG function with an offset to IPv4 and IPv6 totals. This defines a unique identifier based on resources, used to spread the fees while keeping increases reasonable

The IPv4 and IPv6 formulas run independently, and the higher result becomes the annual fee.

This approach eliminates categories, provides a continuous scale of fees and ensures small changes in resource holdings lead to proportionally small fee changes.

Download the Model B calculator

The downloadable spreadsheet allows members to:

• Convert resource notation to standardised units
• Enter IPv4 and IPv6 totals
• Adjust factors to explore how the formula behaves
• Test high and low resource scenarios

How to use the Model B calculator

Calculator 1

The first calculator helps turn IPv4 and IPv6 notations into the required /24 IPv4 and /32 IPv6 units for the second calculator.

You will need to use this calculator multiple times if you hold more than one allocation.

Calculator 2

• Enter your IPv4 and IPv6 totals in the green cells (IPv4 in multiples of /24, IPv6 in multiples of /32)
• Calculate per member, not per LIR
• Both IPv4 and IPv6 holdings yield a unique identifier number. The highest of the two is used to calculate the fee
• You can adjust the yellow parameter cells, which control the base fee and the two factors used in the calculation.
• Feel free to experiment with these values to see how different scenarios affect your fee and check high and low resource holdings.
• You can download the calculator as many times as you like to test multiple variations

Questions for Members

Should fees be calculated on a continuous spectrum?

Is the formula intuitive and appropriate?

Do the factors allow for sufficient flexibility?

Are there alternative formula structures we should consider?

Share Your Feedback

Your input is essential to shaping the Charging Scheme proposal that will go to the membership for approval.

Please share your comments, questions, and suggestions on the Members Discuss mailing list.

Timeline

November 2025: Publication of draft Models A and B

January/February 2026: Consultation on separate charges (Phase 2)

April 2026: Combined overview of Phases 1 and 2 published

May 2026: Charging Scheme vote at the General Meeting