How to Get Around CGNAT on Comporium and Fix NAT Type 3 Issues

Comporium, like many ISPs, uses Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) to assign multiple users to a single public IP address. While this method conserves IPv4 addresses, it introduces limitations such as NAT Type 3, which restricts certain online functions. For users looking to host servers, play online games, or access their home networks remotely, NAT Type 3 can be a significant obstacle. In this guide, we’ll walk through practical methods to work around CGNAT on Comporium and resolve NAT Type 3 issues.

What is Comporium?

Comporium is a regional telecommunications company based in South Carolina, serving residential and business customers with services like high-speed internet, digital TV, and phone services. Known for providing broadband options across both urban and rural areas, Comporium also offers advanced solutions like smart home security, business communications, and fiber internet in select areas.

As an Internet Service Provider (ISP), Comporium is widely used in communities across South Carolina and North Carolina, where it’s recognized for its commitment to local service and technology expansion.

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

What is NAT Type 3 on Comporium, and Why Does it Happen?

NAT Type 3 is a strict network configuration that can limit your ability to connect directly to other devices or users online. This type of NAT typically results in issues with:

• Online gaming: Certain consoles and multiplayer games require open or moderate NAT types (like NAT Type 1 or 2) to function smoothly.
• Remote access: NAT Type 3 restricts incoming connections, which can make it challenging to access home devices, such as cameras or storage, from outside networks.
• VoIP and streaming: Services that need stable, direct connections can suffer from dropped connections or poor quality on NAT Type 3.

Comporium uses CGNAT to optimize IP address usage, but as a result, users are often assigned NAT Type 3, which can prevent certain applications from functioning as intended. To regain more flexibility, there are a few practical options for getting around Comporium’s CGNAT and resolving NAT Type 3 issues.

Practical Methods to Get Around Comporium’s CGNAT and NAT Type 3

Request a Static IP from Comporium

The simplest solution to get around CGNAT and avoid NAT Type 3 is to request a static IP from Comporium. A static IP gives you a unique public IP address, freeing you from CGNAT and allowing for NAT Type 1 or 2. Many ISPs, including Comporium, offer static IP addresses for an additional monthly fee.

Use Cases:

• Gaming: Get an open or moderate NAT type (1 or 2) for smoother gameplay and fewer connectivity issues.
• Remote Access: Access your home devices and servers from anywhere without running into CGNAT limitations.
• Small Business Needs: Host services like VoIP, email, or web servers without facing the restrictions of NAT Type 3.

Use a VPN with Port Forwarding

A VPN service with port forwarding can also help you get around CGNAT and improve your NAT type. By routing your traffic through a VPN server, your device appears to be on a unique public IP, allowing for NAT Type 2 in most cases. Many VPN providers specifically offer gaming-friendly features to help with these issues.

Use Cases:

• Online Gaming: Get a better NAT type and reduce lag by using a VPN with gaming-optimized servers.
• Remote Desktop Access: Access work or home computers securely with port forwarding, getting around the need for a unique IP.
• IoT Device Management: Access smart devices remotely, even under CGNAT restrictions.

Try a Cloud-Based Server or Virtual Private Server (VPS)

For those with advanced technical knowledge, using a cloud-based server or VPS allows you to handle remote connections outside of CGNAT limitations. Services like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure let you set up a remote server that connects to your home network and acts as a relay for devices or applications behind CGNAT.

Use Cases:

• Home Automation and IoT: Set up a central server for controlling home automation devices without relying on Comporium’s network setup.
• Remote Storage Access: Host files on the cloud and access them remotely, sidestepping NAT Type 3 restrictions.
• Network Testing: For small businesses or developers, cloud-based servers provide a stable testing environment that isn’t affected by CGNAT.

Switch to IPv6 (if available)

Although IPv6 adoption is not yet widespread, IPv6 provides each device with its own unique public address, effectively eliminating the need for CGNAT. If Comporium supports IPv6 in your area, this may allow you to sidestep CGNAT entirely, possibly resolving NAT Type 3 issues.

Use Cases:

• Future-Proofing: Prepare your network for the shift to IPv6, which removes the need for NAT.
• Gaming and Streaming: IPv6 often provides a more direct connection for these applications.
• IoT Compatibility: Many smart devices are increasingly IPv6-compatible, easing their integration into home networks.

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Needs

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which approach best suits your needs:

Solution	Complexity	Cost	Best For
Static IP	Low	Moderate	Gaming, remote access, small businesses
VPN with Port Forwarding	Medium	Moderate	Gaming, remote work, IoT access
Cloud-Based Server	High	Variable	Automation, testing, business applications
VPN	Low	Low	Personal network access, small teams
IPv6 Migration	Medium	Low	Future-proofing and network simplification

How to Check if Comporium Broadband Uses CGNAT

To determine if your Comporium 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.

Related Read: Port Forwarding on a dedicated router

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 Comporium 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.

Final Thoughts

CGNAT and NAT Type 3 can pose challenges for Comporium users who need more control over their network. Whether you need a static IP, VPN, or cloud-based workaround, the best solution depends on your needs, technical skills, and budget. By choosing the right approach, you can get around CGNAT and enjoy a more flexible and responsive online experience with Comporium.