Do You Need a Static IP Address?
Who needs a fixed IP address and which providers offer it.
The Digital Fingerprint
Every device connected to the internet needs an IP address to communicate—think of it like a phone number or a postal address for data. For residential connections, ISPs typically assign a Dynamic IP. This means your address is leased to you temporarily. Reboot your router, wait a few days, or simply get unlucky, and your IP address changes.
For 99% of users—streaming Netflix, browsing Facebook, checking email—this doesn’t matter at all. The internet finds you just fine. But for “Power Users,” a changing address is a headache.
The Case for a Static IP
A Static IP is a fixed address that is reserved permanently for your connection. It never changes. You might need one if:
- Hosting Servers: You run a Minecraft server, a web server, or a Plex media server from home. You need a permanent address so your friends (or your domain name) can always find the server.
- Remote Access: You need to Remote Desktop (RDP) into your home PC from work, or you access your home security camera system directly via port forwarding.
- Security Whitelisting: You work for a company that locks down its systems. They might only allow access from a specific, trusted IP address. If your IP changes, you get locked out of your work systems.
- Reputation: Dynamic IP pools are sometimes flagged as “spammy” because bad actors use them. A Static IP usually has a clean reputation, which helps if you run your own email server.
The CityFibre Context
Not all CityFibre ISPs offer Static IPs. Because the world has run out of IPv4 addresses (the old style 192.168.x.x addresses), buying them is expensive for ISPs.
- Budget ISPs: Often do not offer Static IPs at all. They might even use CGNAT, which makes hosting impossible.
- Mid-Range ISPs: Will sell you a Static IP as an “Add-on” for £2-£5 per month.
- Premium ISPs: Providers like Zen Internet or IDNet often include a Static IP for free as a standard feature, because they cater to a more technical audience.
If you need this feature, checking the ISP’s “Product Guide” or “Specs” page before signing up is essential. Don’t assume you can add it later.