Learn why Starlink’s “persistent IP” isn’t enough and how overlay networks like Big Network’s Static IP Anywhere deliver accurate static addresses over Starlink and other connections.
Low‑earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite systems such as Starlink have upended conventional thinking about wide‑area connectivity. Virtual Network Operators (VNOs) managing fleets of branches, kiosks, or IoT nodes are attracted to Starlink because it provides high‑throughput internet in areas where fiber or 5G is unreliable. Yet one of the first questions infrastructure teams ask when evaluating Starlink is whether it can supply a dedicated or static IP address. Remote management, site‑to‑site networking, firewall rules, and application whitelisting often depend on predictable addressing.
Unfortunately, Starlink’s default addressing model delivers dynamic, carrier‑grade NAT (CGNAT) addresses, and the “public” IP option available to Business and Maritime plans is not a valid static IP[1]. In this article, we unpack what Starlink actually offers, why static addressing matters for VNOs, and how modern overlay networks enable you to use Starlink without losing control of your IP layer.
For network operators, a dedicated (static) IP address serves as a digital anchor. When you need to connect to a device, open a VPN tunnel, or enforce a firewall rule, you rely on a stable endpoint. Dynamic addresses, on the other hand, change periodically or whenever the device reconnects to the network. In conventional terrestrial deployments, this might be acceptable, but it causes real pain for VNOs:
A static IP address eliminates these headaches by providing a constant presence on the internet. It allows remote devices to be contacted directly, simplifies routing and security policies, and enables seamless failover between multiple ISPs. This is why many network operators consider a static IP non‑negotiable when designing their infrastructure.
Before examining Starlink’s approach, it’s essential to understand what static and dynamic addresses are. A static IP address remains constant across sessions and reboots. Providers assign the address manually, often referring to it as a “dedicated” or “fixed” IP, and businesses use it for hosting servers, VPN gateways, and other infrastructure requiring consistent reachability[10]. Because each static IP permanently occupies a public IPv4 address, ISPs charge higher fees and limit availability[11].
By contrast, a dynamic IP address is loaned from a pool via the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). When the lease expires or the device reconnects, it may receive a different address[12]. Dynamic addressing is cheaper, easier for ISPs to administer, and more secure for casual users because it rotates often[13]. However, dynamic IPs are not ideal for hosting services, remote access, or accurate geolocation[14].
For network operators, static addresses offer reliability and predictability, while dynamic addresses provide cost savings and flexibility. The rise of IPv6 will eventually provide abundant address space, but most current applications and NAT gateways still rely on IPv4.
Starlink’s core mission is to deliver broadband anywhere on Earth. To serve millions of subscribers without exhausting the limited IPv4 space, Starlink uses carrier‑grade NAT (CGNAT). Under CGNAT, multiple customers share a single public IPv4 address, and the Starlink network translates each customer’s private 100.64.0.0/10 address (a reserved range for ISP CGNAT) into the shared public address[15]. This architecture allows efficient reuse of addresses but has side effects:
Starlink does offer a “public IP” option for Business and Maritime plans. This upgrade provides a publicly routable IPv4 address that bypasses CGNAT. However, the public IP is still delivered via DHCP and may change if the dish is moved or if Starlink reallocates addresses[2][6]. It is unavailable for Residential or Roam customers. As Metro Wireless notes, Starlink’s “persistent” IP is essentially a sticky dynamic IP: it often stays the same but can change without notice and cannot be aggregated into blocks[3]. When it does change, you cannot reclaim the old address.
VNOs exploring Starlink often discover that the persistent IP option does not meet their needs. Some of the significant pain points include:
These constraints make Starlink’s built‑in IP policies ill‑suited for network operators managing multiple devices or requiring guaranteed address continuity.
So how do VNOs deliver consistent connectivity when Starlink’s native IP model does not? The answer lies in overlay networking. An overlay network establishes an encrypted tunnel between your edge device and a cloud aggregation point, then assigns a static, globally routable IP address to the device. The overlay decouples your network from the ISP’s addressing scheme and provides features like multi‑path failover, QoS, and security.
At a high level, here is how overlay static IP works:
The overlay model aligns with the VNO business model described in Big Network’s VNO guide. VNOs deliver connectivity services without owning physical infrastructure by leasing capacity from carriers and layering their own customer experience and innovation on top [7]. Similarly, overlay IP allows operators to lease underlay bandwidth (Starlink, LTE, DSL) while providing a stable address layer for value‑added services. This approach supports agile network deployment, lowers capital expenditure, and scales globally—exactly what VNOs require [16].
Big Network’s Static IP Anywhere is an overlay service designed for network operators. It delivers globally routable IPv4 addresses over any internet connection—satellite, fiber, DSL, or cellular—and pairs with the Edge Pro gateway to offer sub‑second failover. For operators using Starlink, Static IP Anywhere removes the limitations of CGNAT and the unpredictable public IP. Key capabilities include:
· Unbreakable connectivity: The static address persists through Starlink reboots, dish relocations, and failover events. Sessions across VPNs, remote desktops, and application streams remain active.
· Inbound access and port forwarding: Operators can host servers, surveillance cameras, and control systems on Starlink sites without worrying about blocked ports or NAT mappings.
· Flexible addressing: Request a single IP or a subnet, and maintain consistent addressing across multiple sites. Combine with BGP or VRRP for advanced routing scenarios.
· Operational control: Centralised management of all overlay tunnels, with analytics, QoS, and security. This fits the network‑operator requirement to build networks faster, cheaper, and more reliably[8].
Big Network believes that VNOs shouldn’t have to worry about address scarcity or provider‑imposed NAT policies. Our core mission is to un‑break the internet for operators by delivering predictable connectivity as a service. We recognise that virtualisation is reshaping connectivity; businesses expect always‑on, flexible networks without the expense of building expensive infrastructure [7]. To serve this need, we offer:
By adopting these technologies, network operators and VNOs can deliver reliable connectivity to remote offices, industrial sites, and IoT networks without being bound by legacy ISP constraints. They can also rapidly expand services into new geographies because the overlay network is built on edge devices and cloud infrastructure rather than physical fiber [16].
Starlink has transformed rural and mobile connectivity, but it does not provide a true dedicated or static IP address. Its default addressing uses CGNAT and DHCP, and the “persistent” IP available on business plans is still a dynamic lease that can change[1][6]. For network operators and VNOs who rely on stable addressing for remote management, security, and service delivery, Starlink’s model is insufficient.
Overlay networking provides a powerful solution. By establishing a secure tunnel from your Starlink terminal to a cloud node and assigning a globally routable static IP, overlay services such as Static IP Anywhere make Starlink behave like a dedicated address space. This approach aligns with the VNO ethos of layering value on top of leased infrastructure[7]. It enables operators to deploy Starlink as part of a larger multi‑access WAN while preserving IP continuity, facilitating inbound services, and supporting mission‑critical applications.
If your network design depends on predictable IP addressing, you don’t have to wait for Starlink to offer static IPs. You can implement them today with a modern overlay solution.
Ready to deliver consistent, secure connectivity over Starlink and other underlays? Talk to our team to learn how Static IP Anywhere and Edge Pro can give you dedicated IP addresses, seamless failover and global reach—without owning any infrastructure.
Does Starlink offer a dedicated IP?
No. Starlink assigns dynamic IPv4 addresses using CGNAT and offers an optional public IP on Business and Maritime plans. This public IP is delivered via DHCP and can change when the dish is moved or the lease expires[1].
What is the difference between Starlink’s persistent IP and a valid static IP?
Starlink’s persistent IP is a dynamic lease that often stays the same for long periods but may change without notice. An actual static IP is manually assigned, does not change, and can support port forwarding and inbound connections[3].
Why do network operators need a static IP for Starlink?
Remote access, VPN tunnels, firewall whitelisting, and monitoring depend on consistent addresses. Dynamic addressing and CGNAT break these workflows and cause downtime[4].
How can I get a static IP with Starlink?
Use an overlay solution such as Big Network’s Static IP Anywhere. It projects a globally routable static IP onto your Starlink link via a secure tunnel, allowing inbound connections and preserving IP continuity even when Starlink changes your underlying address[6].
[1] [2] [15] Starlink Static IP: How To Get It & Viable Alternatives (2025)
https://starlinkinsider.com/starlink-static-ip/
[3] [4] No, Starlink can't provide you a true Public Static IP, but we at Metro Wireless can!
https://www.metrowireless.com/blog/starlink-persistent-ip-vs-true-public-static-ip-business-solution
[5] [6] Starlink Static IP Address - Core Transit
https://www.coretransit.net/starlink-static-ip-address/
[7] [16] Virtual Network Operators (VNOs): The Definitive Guide | Big Network
https://www.bignetwork.com/blog/virtual-network-operators-definitive-guide
[8] [17] Static IP Anywhere: The Complete Guide to Seamless Connectivity | Big Network
https://www.bignetwork.com/blog/static-ip-anywhere-guide
[9] Understanding Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) – CleanBrowsing Help
https://cleanbrowsing.org/help/docs/understanding-carrier-grade-nat-cgnat/
[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] Static vs. Dynamic IP Address: A Comprehensive Guide - IPXO
https://www.ipxo.com/blog/static-vs-dynamic-ip-address/
