The Department of Work and Pensions, UK has an entire /8

Wed Sep 19 09:01:40 UTC 2012

> So...why do you need publicly routable IP addresses if they aren't
> publicly routable?

Because the RIRs aren't in the business of handing out publicly routable address space.  They're in the business of handing out globally unique address space - *one* of the reasons for which may be connection to the "public Internet", whatever that is at any given point in time and space.

RIPE are really good about making the distinction and using the latter phrase rather than the former.  I'm not familiar enough with the corresponding ARIN documents to comment on the language used there.

Regards,
Tim.