ARIN distributes IPv4 addresses from waiting list
The American Registry for Internet Numbers has fulfilled a new round of IPv4 address requests from its waiting list. While technical in nature, the process has implications for competition, access, and the ability of civil society organisations to operate online in a context of ongoing IPv4 scarcity.
On 2 July 2025, the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) completed a new distribution of IPv4 address space, fulfilling 83 requests from its IPv4 Waiting List using 62 address blocks that had been cleared for allocation. The distribution forms part of ARIN’s established process for managing the remaining pool of IPv4 addresses, which have been effectively exhausted in most regions.
According to ARIN, the address blocks used in this round were previously subject to reputation-based concerns that may have led to their inclusion on blocklists. The registry notes that such prior inferences are now likely outdated and should no longer be assumed to apply to the redistributed blocks. ARIN has encouraged network operators and service providers to reassess any legacy filtering or blocking practices related to these addresses.
The IPv4 Waiting List exists because the IPv4 protocol, which underpins much of today’s internet infrastructure, relies on a finite address space. As a result, new organisations or expanding networks cannot simply request fresh IPv4 addresses on demand. Instead, registries such as ARIN redistribute recovered or returned address blocks according to defined policies, prioritising fairness and transparency.
For civil society organisations, this process matters for several reasons. Many non-profit groups, community networks, independent media outlets, and advocacy organisations depend on stable internet connectivity to publish information, provide services, and communicate securely. Limited access to IP address resources can act as a structural barrier, particularly for smaller actors that lack the financial means to acquire address space on secondary markets, where IPv4 addresses are often traded at significant cost.
The clarification around blocklisting is also relevant for civil society. If newly allocated address blocks are incorrectly treated as untrustworthy due to outdated reputation data, organisations using them may face reduced reach, blocked communications, or service disruptions. This can disproportionately affect smaller or rights-based organisations that rely on email, web hosting, or self-managed infrastructure to operate independently of large commercial platforms.
More broadly, the continued reliance on IPv4 highlights persistent inequalities in internet infrastructure. While IPv6 adoption offers a long-term solution with a vastly larger address space, deployment remains uneven.
ARIN has indicated that the next IPv4 Waiting List distribution is expected in the third quarter of 2025 and that the community will be notified in advance. As IPv4 address management continues, the process underscores the importance of inclusive internet governance mechanisms that consider not only network operators and commercial actors, but also the needs of civil society organisations seeking equitable and reliable access to the internet.
