At Fri Mar 22 15:27:14 CET 2024 RIPE NCC mailed members with the subject [members‑discuss] RIPE NCC Charging Scheme 2025 Open House: Recording and Slides Available. The thread ignited an unprecedented wave of replies on the members‑discuss list.
What we heard
- Sharp fee increases unaccompanied by visible service improvements.
- Limited insight into the cost structure behind the 2025 draft charging scheme.
- Insufficient time for meaningful member input before adoption.
Why this matters
RIPE NCC is a membership association, not a commercial vendor. Its charging model must be predictable, transparent, and equitable. Anything less erodes trust and, ultimately, the stability of Internet number‑resource governance in our region.
Our proposal in brief
- Cost‑based, not volume‑based fees that reflect the actual expense of the services each member consumes.
- Budget discipline: cap annual operational‑expenditure growth at the average EU inflation rate unless members explicitly approve an exception.
- Full transparency: publish a line‑item budget and quarterly spending reports.
- Member veto window: introduce a 30‑day objection period before any fee change takes effect.
Get involved
- Join telegram discussions at https://t.me/ripe_budget_talks.
- Join the discussion on members‑discuss using the tag [Better‑RIPE‑Fees].
We are committed to a funding model that sustains RIPE NCC’s mission while respecting the interests of every member. Your voice shapes that outcome.