ASN and IPv4 Requirements for IKTA Registration in Azerbaijan

Companies that want to operate as an internet service provider in Azerbaijan are required to declare their ASN and IPv4 address range alongside standard corporate details during the IKTA registration process.

The process looks straightforward at first glance, but there is a significant gap between what the regulation technically requires on the IPv4 side and what the global routing system actually supports.

What does IKTA require?

During registration, IKTA requests the following from the applicant ISP:

• An ASN registered to the company
• A public IPv4 address range to be used in service delivery
• An IPv6 address range, if available
• Regions where the ISP intends to operate
• Company and contact details
• Service documentation and corporate filings

Applications can be submitted with a minimum of a /28 IPv4 block. A /28 contains 16 IPv4 addresses in total.

However, a /28 is not large enough to be independently announced to the global internet under the company's own ASN.

Why we recommend /24 instead of /28

The majority of global internet operators filter IPv4 announcements smaller than a /24.

As a result, blocks like /28, /27, /26 or /25 can only be used if allocated from within a larger operator's own IP space. In that arrangement, the addresses remain tied to whichever operator assigned them.

If the company wants to use its own ASN, establish BGP sessions with multiple upstream providers, and retain its IP addresses when switching operators, the smallest practical IPv4 block is a /24.

A /24 contains 256 IPv4 addresses and can be independently announced in the global BGP routing table.

For IKTA registration and real-world ISP operations, we recommend the following minimum setup:

• 1 ASN registered to the company
• At least 1 /24 IPv4 block
• Sponsoring LIR service
• At least 1, preferably 2 upstream internet providers

Does the company need to become a RIPE member?

No.

Direct membership in RIPE NCC is not required to obtain an ASN or manage IPv4 resources.

Opening a direct RIPE membership creates a sign-up fee, an annual membership fee, and resource charges. For a new ISP starting with a single ASN and one /24, this structure is often unnecessarily expensive.

With a Sponsoring LIR arrangement, the ASN is registered directly under the ISP company's name. The Sponsoring LIR handles the application and resource management with RIPE NCC on the company's behalf.

Usage rights of the ASN belong to the ISP that filed the application. The company can change its Sponsoring LIR in the future and continue using the same ASN.

Can IPv4 be leased?

Yes.

The IPv4 block used for IKTA registration does not have to be purchased outright. A leased IPv4 block can be used, provided the contract and RIPE records are properly set up.

When leasing:

• The IPv4 block is allocated for the ISP's use.
• RIPE records can reflect the using company's details.
• The block can be announced under the company's ASN.
• IP addresses can be used within Azerbaijan.
• RPKI, route objects, reverse DNS, and geolocation can all be configured.

However, ownership of the leased block remains with the lessor.

This means that while a leased block can technically be announced from different upstream providers, the lessee cannot sell the block or transfer ownership.

What changes when IPv4 is purchased?

When an IPv4 block is purchased, the resource is transferred to the buyer's name.

After purchase, the company:

• Becomes the registered holder of the IPv4 block.
• Can announce the IPs from its own ASN.
• Can work with any upstream operator.
• Can change its Sponsoring LIR at any time.
• Can lease out or transfer the block in the future.
• Has full control over RPKI, reverse DNS, and RIPE records.

For companies planning long-term ISP operations, purchasing is the stronger option. Companies just starting out or looking to keep initial costs low can begin with a lease and move to a purchase later.

What does it cost?

As of July 2026, our representative pricing is as follows:

The Sponsoring LIR fee covers an initial prorated period of 17.5 months.

Starting with an annual lease

Starting with a monthly lease

If the monthly plan continues for a full year, the cumulative cost reaches 3,665 USD.

Starting with a purchase

These figures do not include local operator connectivity, physical port fees, bandwidth capacity, routers, data center costs, DDoS protection, or other infrastructure expenses.

What does IPv4Center offer?

IPv4Center provides the following services to companies launching ISP operations in Azerbaijan:

• ASN registration under the company's name
• Sponsoring LIR service
• /24 IPv4 leasing
• /24 IPv4 purchase
• RIPE Database record preparation
• Route object creation
• RPKI and ROA management
• Reverse DNS delegation
• Azerbaijan geolocation configuration
• BGP announcement documentation and records
• Letter of Authorization support
• Technical process consulting

The ASN is registered directly under the ISP company's name.

If IPv4 is leased, usage rights are granted to the customer while resource ownership stays with IPv4Center or the relevant resource holder.

If IPv4 is purchased, the block is registered under the buyer's name after the transfer is completed, and all resource rights pass to the buyer.

Which option makes more sense?

For newly established ISPs looking to test their operations, the lowest-risk approach is typically an ASN application, Sponsoring LIR service, and an annual /24 IPv4 lease.

For companies planning long-term operations, wanting to keep the same IP addresses, and requiring full control over their resources, a /24 IPv4 purchase is the better path.

In short, a small IPv4 range may technically satisfy the IKTA filing requirement. But any company that wants to build a real, portable ISP network under its own ASN should start with at least one /24 block.

Through IPv4Center, the entire process can be handled via a leasing or purchasing model. A company can start with a lease and, if it decides to move to ownership later, transition to a purchase at current market rates for the same or a different IPv4 block.