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APNIC · RIR Watchdog

Returned IPv4 address management and Final /8 exhaustion

Start here for the proposal-by-proposal record: what changed, why it mattered, who argued for what, how positions evolved, what was decided, and where the evidence still has gaps.

Source facts

Policy ID
prop-117
RIR
APNIC
Official status
Implemented on 4 August 2017
Normalized status
Accepted
Introduced
Jan 29, 2017
Last source update
Oct 10, 2026
Coverage
Partial

Who actually shaped the debate?

1Total participants
UnknownDiscussion contributors
1Formal actors
UnknownDiscussion messages
UnknownEffective participants
UnknownTop-five discussion share
UnknownPeople covering 50%
UnknownPeople covering 80%

Policy evolution

v002
Unknown
Source facts ↗

Maximum IPv4 Recovered pool allocation for new account holders · The maximum allocation for each new account holder changes from a /22 to a /21.

Source facts −
Each new account holder can receive up to a /22 from the IPv4 Recovered pool. -
Source facts ↗
Source facts +
Each new account holder can receive up to a /21 from the IPv4 Recovered pool. -
Source facts ↗

Eligibility and cumulative allocation limit for existing account holders · The old text permits existing account holders that have not received Recovered-pool space to apply for up to a /22 from that pool. The new text instead permits those that have not received the maximum /21 across the two pools to continue applying until their combined receipts from the two pools reach a /21.

Source facts −
Existing account holders who have not yet received space from the Recovered pool may continue to apply for up to a /22 from this pool. -
Source facts ↗
Source facts +
Existing account holders who have not yet received the maximum /21 from the two pools may continue to apply for space from the Recovered pool until they have received a maximum /21 from the two pools. -
Source facts ↗
v003
Unknown
Source facts ↗

Final /8 delegation termination trigger · The rule ending Final /8 delegations when an approved request first cannot be fulfilled from the 103/8 pool was removed.

Source facts −
- The first time an approved request cannot be fulfilled from the 103/8 pool, Final /8 delegations will end.
Source facts ↗
Source facts +
Handling returned address: - Recovered 103/8 space will be placed in the 103/8 (Final /8) pool. - Recovered non-103/8 space will be placed in the IPv4 Recovered pool. 5. Advantages / Disadvantages
Source facts ↗

IPv4 pool consolidation after 103/8 exhaustion · The rule requiring APNIC to manage a single Recovered IPv4 pool containing residual 103/8 space and all future returns after exhaustion was removed.

Source facts −
- APNIC will begin to manage only one (Recovered) IPv4 pool containing any residual 103/8 space and all future returns, including 103/8 returns.
Source facts ↗
Source facts +
Handling returned address: - Recovered 103/8 space will be placed in the 103/8 (Final /8) pool. - Recovered non-103/8 space will be placed in the IPv4 Recovered pool. 5. Advantages / Disadvantages
Source facts ↗

Recovered-pool limit for new account holders · The rule allowing each new account holder to receive up to a /21 from the IPv4 Recovered pool was removed.

Source facts −
- Each new account holder can receive up to a /21 from the IPv4 Recovered pool.
Source facts ↗
Source facts +
Handling returned address: - Recovered 103/8 space will be placed in the 103/8 (Final /8) pool. - Recovered non-103/8 space will be placed in the IPv4 Recovered pool. 5. Advantages / Disadvantages
Source facts ↗

Recovered-pool eligibility for existing account holders · The rule allowing existing account holders below the combined /21 maximum to continue applying to the Recovered pool until reaching that maximum was removed.

Source facts −
- Existing account holders who have not yet received the maximum /21 from the two pools may continue to apply for space from the Recovered pool until they have received a maximum /21 from the two pools.
Source facts ↗
Source facts +
Handling returned address: - Recovered 103/8 space will be placed in the 103/8 (Final /8) pool. - Recovered non-103/8 space will be placed in the IPv4 Recovered pool. 5. Advantages / Disadvantages
Source facts ↗

Waiting list and new-account priority · The requirement to create a waiting list for unfulfilled approved requests and prioritize each new account holder on that list was removed.

Source facts −
- A waiting list will be created if approved requests cannot be fulfilled. Each new account holder will be given priority in the waiting list.
Source facts ↗
Source facts +
Handling returned address: - Recovered 103/8 space will be placed in the 103/8 (Final /8) pool. - Recovered non-103/8 space will be placed in the IPv4 Recovered pool. 5. Advantages / Disadvantages
Source facts ↗

Debate timeline

  1. Official version

    v001

    Source facts ↗

  2. Official version

    v002

    Source facts ↗

  3. Official version

    v003

    Source facts ↗

  4. Introduced

    Introduced

    Source facts ↗

  5. Official decision

    accepted

    accepted

    Source facts ↗

Entities

Freshness: Stale
  1. Tomohiro Fujisaki
    Discussion messages0
    First activityUnknown
    Last activityUnknown
    First explicit stanceUnknown
    Latest explicit stanceUnknown
    Stance changes0
    Viewpoint consistencyNo explicit position stated
    Other policies3

Sources and coverage

Official policy sources

Public discussion archives

  • apnic-sig-policy
    Earliest captured
    Jun 1, 2001
    Latest captured
    Sep 21, 2026
    Last refresh
    Aug 13, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    405
    Known gaps
    36
  • apnic-sig-policy
    Earliest captured
    Jun 1, 2001
    Latest captured
    Sep 21, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    3,383
    Known gaps
    0
  • www.apnic.net
  • conference.apnic.net
  • apnic-academy-talk-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Jan 12, 2023
    Latest captured
    Jan 19, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    1,929
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-afg-community-apnic.foundation
    Earliest captured
    Sep 27, 2023
    Latest captured
    Jun 24, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    1,879
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-apac-ict-women-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Oct 22, 2024
    Latest captured
    Aug 11, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,355
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-apix-chair-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Unknown
    Latest captured
    Unknown
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    1
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-apix-secretary-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Unknown
    Latest captured
    Unknown
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    1
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-apix-treasurer-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Unknown
    Latest captured
    Unknown
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    0
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-apnic-alumni-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Feb 14, 2024
    Latest captured
    Jul 14, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,340
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-apnic-announce-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Jun 11, 2025
    Latest captured
    Sep 3, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,697
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-apnic-foundation-discuss-apnic.foundation
    Earliest captured
    Sep 12, 2022
    Latest captured
    Mar 11, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,012
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-apnic-services-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Aug 31, 2020
    Latest captured
    Aug 4, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,416
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-apnic-talk-lists.apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Apr 15, 2004
    Latest captured
    Sep 8, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,530
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-apnic-transfers-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Sep 21, 2012
    Latest captured
    Feb 22, 2025
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,395
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-bgp-stats-lists.apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Aug 30, 2026
    Latest captured
    Sep 15, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    3,442
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-community-elections-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Nov 12, 2021
    Latest captured
    Nov 22, 2021
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    19
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-community-events-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    May 9, 2025
    Latest captured
    Aug 19, 2025
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,552
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-diversity-in-leadership-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Jun 9, 2026
    Latest captured
    Jul 8, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    130
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-ianaxfer-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Mar 27, 2014
    Latest captured
    Jul 11, 2019
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,421
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-icp-2review-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Apr 24, 2025
    Latest captured
    Sep 1, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    1,892
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-measurement-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    May 31, 2023
    Latest captured
    Mar 8, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,395
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-mvnog-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Feb 5, 2026
    Latest captured
    Sep 28, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    136
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-orbit-discuss-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Sep 13, 2022
    Latest captured
    Nov 13, 2022
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    623
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-pngnog-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Dec 26, 2019
    Latest captured
    Oct 28, 2024
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,230
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-security-discuss-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Mar 27, 2024
    Latest captured
    Aug 16, 2024
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,238
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-sig-cooperation-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Jan 15, 2015
    Latest captured
    Aug 25, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,432
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    0
  • apnic-sig-guidelines-review-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Jun 3, 2026
    Latest captured
    Sep 2, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    1,228
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-sig-nir-lists.apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    May 13, 2004
    Latest captured
    Sep 4, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,526
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-sig-routingsecurity-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Apr 3, 2020
    Latest captured
    Aug 25, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,286
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-user-feedback-group-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Sep 12, 2022
    Latest captured
    Jul 14, 2026
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,021
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-wg-pdr-apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Mar 29, 2021
    Latest captured
    Sep 21, 2022
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,011
    Known gaps
    0
  • apnic-youth4ig-lists.apnic.net
    Earliest captured
    Feb 19, 2020
    Latest captured
    Jul 28, 2023
    Last refresh
    Oct 10, 2026
    Coverage
    Source coverage is incomplete.
    Loading
    2,340
    Known gaps
    0

Coverage

Partial
Earliest captured: Jun 1, 2001
Latest captured: Oct 10, 2026

Freshness

Freshness: Stale · Last refresh:

Known gaps

  • www.apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-sig-policy: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-sig-policy: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • www.apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • conference.apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-academy-talk-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-afg-community-apnic.foundation: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-apac-ict-women-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-apix-chair-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-apix-secretary-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-apix-treasurer-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-apnic-alumni-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-apnic-announce-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-apnic-foundation-discuss-apnic.foundation: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-apnic-services-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-apnic-talk-lists.apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-apnic-transfers-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-bgp-stats-lists.apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-community-elections-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-community-events-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-diversity-in-leadership-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-ianaxfer-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-icp-2review-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-measurement-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-mvnog-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-orbit-discuss-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-pngnog-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-security-discuss-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-sig-cooperation-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-sig-guidelines-review-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-sig-nir-lists.apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-sig-routingsecurity-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-user-feedback-group-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-wg-pdr-apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.
  • apnic-youth4ig-lists.apnic.net: Source coverage is incomplete. · The source boundary has not yet been reached.