Vodafone UK Send Mixed Messages Over Static IP Availability for Broadband UPDATE
Mobile operator and UK ISP Vodafone has today confirmed to ISPreview that customers of their fixed line consumer broadband packages, which are supplied over Openreach and CityFibre’s national networks (FTTC and FTTP), should still be able to request a Static IP (Internet Protocol) address. But this is despite some support staff telling users the opposite.
Most home broadband users will either have a changeable (Dynamic) or shared (CGNAT etc.) IP address, while a ‘Static’ (or ‘Fixed’) IP address doesn’t change, unless there’s a major network migration. Static addresses are useful for running servers, hosting domains, certain security environments, advanced network setups and getting around problems caused by Carrier Grade NAT (where relevant) etc.
Vodafone’s home broadband packages have typically always been sold alongside a Dynamic IP address, which is fairly normal. But the provider has long had a policy where customers could contact support and get a Static IP added to their accounts for free. This is an attractive offer, given that a lot of other providers will charge premiums of c.£1-£5 or more per month to get such an address (it’s usually considered more of a ‘business’ feature).
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The bad news is that one of our community members (5GAllDayLong) recently spotted that Vodafone appeared to be rejecting new requests for a Static IP address when asked via Live Chat (here). In response, one of Vodafone’s community moderators simply said: “The Static IP service is no longer available for consumer account customers.” But Vodafone’s media team now says the feature is still available.
A spokesperson for Vodafone told ISPreview:
“Vodafone strives to meet our customers’ connectivity needs wherever possible and continues to offer IPv4 static addresses upon request for both consumer and business customers. Given the global scarcity of IPv4 addresses, we have implemented several strategies and are actively transitioning to IPv6, which provides a significantly larger address space.”
Naturally, we have queried what the operator means by “several strategies“, as clearly the odd customer has struggled to get a Static IP assigned to their accounts. But it’s currently unclear whether this is part of such a strategy or merely an isolated facet of a poorly informed support agent (hopefully only the latter).
Speaking of IPv6, the roll-out of related addresses to their fixed broadband base should be on course to complete by around the end of March 2025 (here), assuming the operator is still keeping to its plan. But Vodafone’s mobile base is another matter, and there’s currently no known plan for when that may see the same transition.
UPDATE 1:54pm
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We’ve been trying to get some extra clarification from Vodafone and have just received the following statement: “Our teams are aware of an issue that led to some customers receiving the incorrect information and are working to correct this. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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I initiated my Openreach FTTP upgrade from FTTC for Vodafone broadband back in August and there was a bit of confusion back then from the staff about the static IP addresses. Initially I was told that they weren’t available on FTTP connections but I was able to get them to agree shortly after while being on the phone.
I suspect this might have been that same confusion/misinformation again, unless Vodafone don’t offer a static IP on CityFibre but do on Openreach. I do also have ipv6 on my connection.
Honestly, it sounds like nothing new. Vodafone users online said they offered it and absolutely told me they didn’t when I asked on echat. Even threatening to leave got as far as “we do it but we can’t add it” five years ago. I had to get someone on the forum support team to pick it up and it got sorted in the end. Have had static ipv4 for about five years now.
I was with Vodafone broadband between ~2018-2020 and getting my static IP then involved calling twice and being told they don’t offer that, before going on live chat to ask for it and getting a call-back who finally could sort it. Their support staff are, and always have been, poorly informed.
It’s really not a good idea to be using a static IP on consumer connections. It is best these days to have any services hosted in a secure environment with recourse to anti-DDoS capabilities.
I doubt many home users would be attacked using DDoS, no point in going after the little people. Maybe ransomware, but again, most attacks are large companies.
Useful though – for hosting a VPN on an endpoint device on your home network, and many other reasons. I rely on a defense-in-depth security strategy, and I’ve been on static IP for 4+ years with A&A, with no issues.
@ Ad47uk:
On the contrary, I based my comments on accounts of specific individuals’ experiences.
I requested a static address from Vodafone this morning using the live chat and the experience was excellent! They understood my request, got straight too it and done it. I’m really pleased overall.
Plus, a pleasant side effect of the static IP is my ping has dropped by 3ms too! Nice little bonus.
I have tried to do the same. They refused
Here is their comment copied from the Chat I was having with them
I have extensively discussed the case with my manager. On the basis of our interaction, let me confirm that there was a change in the process in recent times and due to that we stopped offering Static IP service to consumer accounts. This is an add-on service for which we never used to charge. This isn’t a part of the home broadband contract that you signed up for. However, we are considering brining the option back for consumer customers as well. So, in this case we would request you to check back after 7-10 days as by then we might start offering Static IP again. As of now neither me nor my manager can apply the same for you as we will need to stick to the process and company’s guidelines.
Not deterred, I decided to call their customer service line 03333 040 191.
Got through to a pleasant young person.
She was able to set me up with a Static IP
I talked two person via chat and one person via phone and neither of them were able to turn static IP on for me. I have no idea what they doing in the background.