This regional allocation followed after APNIC applied with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority's (IANA) to get two of the earlier seven "/8" (slash 8) blocks, reducing the pool to the five.

Analysts said 2011 is the year for rationing the remaining IP addresses and APNIC said it has already set a "strict allocation policy" in place. Australia-based APNIC said "all new and existing APNIC Members will be entitled to a single /22 of IPv4 space, if they meet the current criteria."

"This policy ensures that every network in the region has access to enough IPv4 space to conduct IPv6 transition procedures, including building new networks. This policy helps to ensure that developing economies in our region do not get left behind in the transition," said Paul Wilson, director general, APNIC.

APNIC attributed the fast depletion of the IPv4 addresses in the region to economic development. APNIC noted that the region is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world.