How to Get Around CGNAT on EE Broadband

EE Broadband is the home internet service provided by EE, one of the UK’s leading mobile network operators. EE, which is part of the BT Group, offers a range of broadband packages for residential and business customers, including standard ADSL, Fibre Broadband, and Full Fibre (Fibre to the Premises or FTTP) options.

Types of EE Broadband

1. Standard Broadband (ADSL):
   • Speeds up to 17Mbps.
   • Delivered via traditional copper phone lines, suitable for light internet usage like browsing and emailing.
2. Fibre Broadband (FTTC – Fibre to the Cabinet):
   • Speeds up to 76Mbps.
   • Uses fibre-optic cables to deliver faster internet speeds, ideal for households with multiple devices, streaming, and online gaming.
3. Full Fibre (FTTP – Fibre to the Premises):
   • Speeds up to 900Mbps.
   • Uses pure fibre-optic connections directly to your home, providing ultra-fast speeds suitable for large families, home offices, and heavy internet users.

What is CGNAT?

CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) is a solution used by internet providers to handle the shortage of public IP addresses. With the increasing number of devices online, there aren’t enough unique IP addresses for everyone. Instead of giving each customer their own public IP, ISPs use CGNAT to let multiple users share the same public IP address.

Here’s how it works:

When you connect to the internet at home, your router assigns private IP addresses to your devices (like your phone or laptop) and turns them into one public IP when you access the internet. CGNAT takes this a step further by grouping several customers under one public IP at the ISP level. This saves IP addresses but can create issues for certain activities, like gaming or hosting a server, where a dedicated public IP is needed.

Learn More: CGNAT Port Forwarding

How Does EE CGNAT Work?

CGNAT operates by assigning each customer a private IP address on EE’s internal network. When you access the internet, your private IP is translated to a shared public IP, allowing you to communicate with external websites and services. This process is transparent to most users, but it can affect certain internet activities, especially those that require a unique public IP address.

How to Get Around EE CGNAT: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re experiencing issues with CGNAT on EE and need to get passed it, the most effective solution is to request a static public IP address. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Determine if You’re Affected by CGNAT

1. Check for Public vs Private IP:
   • Open your router’s admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your browser).
   • Look for your WAN IP address (this is your external or public IP).
   • If the WAN IP starts with 100.x.x.x, you’re behind CGNAT. Otherwise, you have a direct public IP.
2. Identify Issues:
   • If you experience difficulties with online gaming, VPN services, or port forwarding, this could indicate you’re behind CGNAT.

Step 2: Contact EE Customer Support

1. Call EE Customer Support:
   • Dial the EE broadband customer service number at 0800 079 8586.
   • Ask to speak to a broadband support agent.
2. Request a Static IP Address:
   • Inform the support agent that you’re experiencing issues due to CGNAT and would like a static public IP address.
   • Ask if there’s an additional fee for the static IP. Some ISPs may charge a small monthly fee for this service.
3. Provide Account Details:
   • Be prepared to provide your broadband account number and personal information to verify your identity.

Step 3: Configure Your Router for the Static IP

1. Receive the Static IP from EE:
   • Once the dedicated IP is assigned, EE will provide you with the details (IP address, subnet mask, and DNS information).
2. Access Your Router Settings:
   • Log into your router’s admin panel.
3. Enter the Static IP Information:
   • Navigate to the Internet/Network Settings section.
   • Select the option to manually configure your IP settings.
   • Enter the static IP details provided by EE, including the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers.
4. Save the Settings:
   • Save the new settings and restart your router for the changes to take effect.

Step 4: Verify the Static IP Address

1. Check Your WAN IP:
   • After restarting your router, log back into the admin panel and check your WAN IP address. It should now reflect the static IP assigned by EE.
2. Test Your Services:
   • Test the services that were previously affected, such as online gaming, VPN connections, or port forwarding.

By following these steps, you should successfully get around EE’s CGNAT and have a unique public IP address, improving your internet experience.

Why Does EE Use CGNAT?

EE implements CGNAT to ensure all customers have continued access to the internet without the need for individual public IP addresses. This is especially important as IPv4 address exhaustion becomes more prevalent. CGNAT allows EE to efficiently manage its network by pooling a limited number of public IPs and assigning them dynamically to customers as needed.

Related Guide: Starlink CGNAT

Impact of EE CGNAT on Internet Use

While CGNAT is generally seamless for browsing and streaming, it can cause issues for specific applications:

1. Online Gaming: Some multiplayer games require unique public IPs for matchmaking or hosting, and CGNAT can interfere with these processes.
2. VPN Services: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that require specific public IP addresses may experience connectivity issues.
3. Port Forwarding: CGNAT prevents customers from forwarding ports on their router, limiting the use of certain services like remote desktop access or hosting servers.

How to Check if EE Broadband Uses CGNAT

To determine if your EE connection is under CGNAT, you can use any of the following methods:

Method 1: Check the Router’s WAN IP Address

1. Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address into the address bar.
2. Enter your username and password to access the dashboard.
3. Navigate to the status screen on the dashboard.
4. Find the section labeled as ‘WAN IP’ or a similar term, which might vary based on the router model.
5. Examine the IP address assigned to the router’s WAN interface.
6. If this IP address falls within the range of 100.64.0.1 to 100.127.255.254, your connection is likely behind CGNAT. This IP range is designated for CGNAT usage.

Method 2: Compare WAN IP and Public IP Address

1. Follow the steps from Method 1 to find and note down the WAN IP address from your router’s dashboard.
2. Open a new tab in your web browser
3. Search for “what is my IP address” and press Enter.
4. Remember the public IP address displayed by the search results.
5. If the WAN IP and the public IP address are different, it indicates that your ISP is using CGNAT.
6. If they match, your connection likely has a direct public IP address, meaning it is not behind CGNAT.

Related Guide: How to Check if your ISPs perform CGNAT

How to Get Around CGNAT with PureVPN

CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) can cause issues with certain online activities like gaming, hosting a server, or accessing your home network remotely. PureVPN offers a way to avoid CGNAT by providing you with a secure and direct connection to the internet using a public IP address.

Here’s how to get around CGNAT with PureVPN:

1. Sign Up for PureVPN

First, you need to sign up for a PureVPN account. We offer various subscription plans, so choose the one that suits your needs.

2. Download/Install PureVPN

PureVPN is available on multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and routers. Download and install the app or configure PureVPN on your EE or any other router.

3. Log In to PureVPN

Once installed, log in with the credentials you created during the signup process.

4. Connect to a Server

Open the PureVPN app and select a server from a location of your choice. PureVPN will route your traffic through this server, which has a public IP address. This effectively avoid CGNAT, as your connection will no longer rely on the shared IP address provided by your ISP.

5. Enable Port Forwarding (Optional)

If you need to host servers or access devices remotely, PureVPN also offers port forwarding. You can enable this feature directly in your PureVPN account settings. This helps you manage specific ports for gaming, torrenting, or running applications that require direct access.

6. Verify Your Connection

After connecting to a PureVPN server, verify that you’re no longer behind CGNAT. You can use online tools to check your IP address and confirm that it’s a public IP.

Related Read: Port Forwarding on a dedicated router

Benefits of Using PureVPN to Avoid CGNAT

• Improved online gaming: Reduce lag and connect to servers directly.
• Remote access: Easily access your home network or devices from anywhere.
• Enhanced privacy: PureVPN encrypts your connection, offering additional security.

By following these steps, you can avoid CGNAT using PureVPN and enjoy a more direct, unrestricted internet experience.

Final Thoughts

EE’s CGNAT implementation is a necessary solution to manage the growing demand for IP addresses. While it can introduce challenges for certain users, most internet activities remain unaffected. For those needing a dedicated IP for specific tasks, requesting a static public IP from EE is a viable solution.