# Difference between PA and PI

This page will outline the differences between PA (Provider Allocated) and PI (Provider Independent)

See a more detailed description of each below!

[Provider Independent](https://learn.beako.net/books/rir-terminology/page/provider-independent-pi)

[Provider Allocated](https://learn.beako.net/books/rir-terminology/page/provider-allocated-pa)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-provider-allocated-p" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 119.2px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 33.3333%;"></col><col style="width: 33.3333%;"></col><col style="width: 33.3333%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29.8px;"><td style="height: 29.8px;">  
</td><td style="height: 29.8px;">Provider Allocated</td><td style="height: 29.8px;">Provider Independent</td></tr><tr style="height: 29.8px;"><td style="height: 29.8px;">Can be moved between LIRs</td><td style="height: 29.8px;">No</td><td style="height: 29.8px;">Yes</td></tr><tr style="height: 29.8px;"><td style="height: 29.8px;">Cost</td><td style="height: 29.8px;">Cheaper (or free)</td><td style="height: 29.8px;">More expensive</td></tr><tr><td>Reassignment</td><td>Can be further reassigned to lower users</td><td>Restricted to the original assigned org/user</td></tr><tr><td>Issuing time</td><td>Often instant/within 1 day</td><td>Up to 1 week for RIPE to process</td></tr><tr style="height: 29.8px;"><td style="height: 29.8px;">Restrictions</td><td style="height: 29.8px;">[LIRs](https://learn.beako.net/books/bgp-terminology/page/lir "LIR") can put extra restrictions on usage</td><td style="height: 29.8px;">Only legal restrictions of your country</td></tr></tbody></table>