When Starlink first arrived on the scene, it promised to revolutionise connectivity for rural and remote areas with high-speed, low-latency Internet beamed directly from space. For many users, it has delivered. From off-grid cabins to remote construction sites, Starlink is enabling Internet access in places that were previously unreachable.

But while the service is ideal for general browsing, video calls, and streaming, one major limitation has IT and networking professionals scratching their heads: Starlink doesn’t provide a real fixed public IP address.

At first glance, this may not sound like a big deal. But in the world of business networking, a fixed public IP is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. Without it, entire workflows, systems, and remote access models can break down.

No Fixed Public IP? Here’s what that really means

Starlink users are currently assigned carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT) IP addresses. This means:

• Your device/router is not directly reachable from the public Internet.
• Your IP can change at any time without notice.
• Inbound connections (initiated from the outside) are generally not possible.

There are no static public IPv4 addresses, and even business-grade customers are typically assigned dynamic CGNAT IPs. IPv6 may be offered in some cases, but it’s still not a full substitute due to application compatibility.

Real-world challenges without Fixed Public IPs

Here are just a few of the problems IT teams face when using Starlink in a business or enterprise setting:

 

1. Remote access and Site-to-Site VPNs become painful
VPNs are the backbone of secure remote site connectivity. But most traditional site-to-site VPNs require at least one endpoint with a fixed public IP address.
With fixed IPs: A branch office can initiate or accept VPN tunnels to HQ or a datacentre.
Without them: VPN tunnels often break when IPs change or cannot be established at all. IT teams must implement complicated dynamic DNS or rely on outbound-only VPNs, which aren’t ideal for all topologies.
Example: A construction company with temporary job sites using Starlink at each location can’t reliably create secure tunnels to headquarters without deploying additional technology.

 

2. Hosting services becomes impossible
Many businesses host internal applications or services (e.g., security camera feeds, remote desktop servers, VoIP systems) that need to be accessible from the outside.
With a fixed IP: Port forwarding and firewall rules can allow secure, direct access.
Without it: External access is blocked entirely, unless using expensive third-party relay services, tunnels, or cloud-based brokers.
Example: A logistics firm with IoT-enabled vehicles or depots using Starlink can’t directly access telemetry data or video streams from edge devices, severely limiting monitoring capabilities.

 

3. Breaks in Monitoring, Management & Alerting
NMS platforms (like PRTG, SolarWinds, or Zabbix) often rely on consistent, fixed IP addresses to monitor remote equipment. Changing IPs mean constant reconfiguration or gaps in alerting.
Example: A managed service provider using Starlink for an industrial customer site may lose real-time visibility into equipment health unless a workaround is implemented.

 

4. Regulatory and Compliance headaches
For industries governed by compliance requirements (e.g., finance, healthcare, defence), having a known and verifiable public IP is essential for:

• Logging and auditing
• Geo-fencing
• Firewall policies
• Whitelisting in SaaS platforms or datacentres

Without it, Starlink traffic can look like it’s coming from a shared pool, undermining audit trails and security controls.

What a Fixed Public IP Would Unlock for Starlink Users

A true fixed public IPv4 addresses, would immediately:

• Enable reliable site-to-site VPNs for remote offices or IoT gateways.
• Allow businesses to host internal services with direct access (with proper security).
• Improve uptime and confidence in network monitoring and alerting.
• Simplify compliance for regulated industries.
• Reduce reliance on costly third-party workarounds.

In short, this capability would transform Starlink from a backup or fringe solution to a core part of enterprise WAN architecture.

There is no doubt Starlink is a game-changer for connectivity in remote and underserved areas, but to truly meet the needs of modern businesses and IT teams, the availability of fixed public IPs (or private/public IP assignment options) should be a priority.

As more organisations look to Starlink for primary or failover WAN links, this limitation will grow in visibility and Comms365 Continuum Constellation is the solution to this very real problem.

Get Started with Continuum Constellation Today

Ready to enhance your Starlink connectivity? Contact our sales team today to request a quote or learn more about how Continuum Constellation can transform your business’s network.