INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION

TSAG-C0135

TELECOMMUNICATION
STANDARDIZATION SECTOR

TSAG
Original: English

STUDY PERIOD 2017-2020

Question(s): N/A

Geneva, 10-14 February 2020
CONTRIBUTION

Source:

RIPE NCC

Title:

Response to “New IP, Shaping Future Network” proposal

Purpose:

Discussion

Contact:

Marco Hogewoning
RIPE NCC
The Netherlands

Keywords:

New IP, Network 2030

Abstract:

Having reviewed the “New IP, Shaping Future Network” proposal, the RIPE NCC
recommends against making any changes to ITU-T structures and recommends
against pursuing the proposed work.

E-mail: marcoh@ripe.net

During this group’s last meeting in September 2019, a number of proponents introduced a proposal
titled “New IP, Shaping Future Network”, proposing what was described as an opportunity for a
“strategic transformation of ITU-T”. The RIPE NCC appreciates the opportunity to respond to the
proposal by means of this contribution.
Since first being described in 1974, Internet protocol architecture has totally transformed our
societies and economies, as the design philosophy of an open and flexible Internet that has allowed
for an unprecedented number of life-changing innovations.
It is true that, boosted by privatisation and increased competition, these technological breakthroughs
have also dramatically changed the telecommunications/ICT landscape. While it was once common
to carry TCP/IP data streams across traditional PSTN infrastructure, those original telephone
services have now also evolved and are carried across using the Internet protocol.
Throughout its lifetime, the Internet protocol has also adapted to accommodate changing
requirements and new technological insights. The most noticeable and impactful change, the
redesign towards IPv6, with its 128 bits address space to overcome scalability issues and support
growth beyond expectations.
We believe it is exactly that open and adaptable nature, not only of the technical architecture but
also the surrounding governance models, that is fundamental to the Internet’s unprecedented
success. Growing alongside its technical infrastructure, the Internet’s governance model has also
evolved to include new stakeholders and accommodate innovations, unforeseen use cases and
unimagined growth as the Internet became the fundamental technology powering our societies and
economies.
The open, inclusive, multistakeholder approach throughout its development – both in the technical
forums that created its standards, as well as in the governance of its resources – has made the
Internet what it is today.

 -2TSAG-C0135

While we recognise the need for both the technical standards as well as these governance models to
continue evolving, we strongly believe such evolution should take place from within the
organisations and structures that invented the Internet and have supported its evolution throughout
its history. We also strongly believe that any rationale for change must be carefully evaluated by all
stakeholders in an open and transparent process in order to achieve consensus.
The RIPE NCC is deeply concerned by what has been proposed here. We are especially concerned
by the notion that this proposal represents an opportunity to steer away from the traditional
“bottom-up” decision-making model.
We also believe the technical rationale presented is flawed and find the suggested alternative
designs to be both unrealistic and unproven. Furthermore, if any of the proposed solutions could be
developed to a mature and production-ready standard, market adoption is very uncertain and will
take decades to accomplish.
The RIPE NCC is of the opinion that the proposal is premature and that following through with any
of the suggested work would create significant overlap with the ongoing work of other SDOs – in
particular, that of the Internet Engineering Task Force.
Although some of the issues mentioned may warrant further study, we insist that any work on the
evolution of the IP protocol layers and the associated technical standards be left to the Internet
Engineering Task Force and be conducted under its governance.
The RIPE NCC recommends that TSAG, and the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector
in general, not make any of the suggested changes to its structure or pursue any work items related
to this proposal that would evolve the Internet protocol stack under the ITU’s remit.
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