How to Get Around CGNAT on Virgin Media

Virgin Media is a leading telecommunications company, offering a range of services including broadband, TV, mobile, and home phone services. Known for its ultrafast fiber-optic broadband, Virgin Media delivers some of the fastest internet speeds available in the country. The company also offers a wide range of TV packages, with access to premium channels, on-demand content, and streaming services, catering to entertainment lovers.

With a strong focus on innovation, Virgin Media continuously upgrades its infrastructure to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet and advanced digital services. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or working from home, Virgin Media provides reliable connectivity, making it a popular choice for households and businesses.

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

Does Virgin Media use CGNAT?

Yes, Virgin Media does use Carrier-Grade Network Address Translation (CGNAT) in certain scenarios. CGNAT is a technique that allows multiple devices on a private network to share a single public IP address. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Virgin Media may implement CGNAT to manage the shortage of IPv4 addresses.

However, it’s important to note that not all Virgin Media customers will be affected by CGNAT. Most residential customers, particularly those using broadband for typical home use, are assigned a public IPv4 address. CGNAT is more commonly used for mobile broadband customers or in specific cases where IP address management is required.

Ways to Avoid CGNAT on Virgin Media

If you’re looking to avoid CGNAT on Virgin Media, there are a few steps you can take to ensure a better online experience.

1- Request a static IP address from Virgin Media

You can get static IP from virgin media which can provide a unique public IP for your connection. Although this option is typically offered to business customers, it might be worth inquiring if it’s available for residential users, especially if you need a dedicated IP for activities like gaming, hosting servers, or using VPNs.

2- Switch to Virgin Media’s broadband-only packages

Switching to broadband-only packages as these often come with public IP addresses that are not shared. Additionally, upgrading to higher-tier plans may increase the likelihood of receiving a public IP, which can help avoid the issues associated with CGNAT. If you’re still unsure, reaching out to Virgin Media’s customer support for clarification on your current IP setup can help you find the best solution.

3- Use a Port Forwarding VPN

With a port forwarding VPN like PureVPN, you can easily get around CGNAT issues. All you have to do is specify which ports you want to open and then connect to a port forwarding-supported server to bypass CGNAT barriers, making it easier to manage activities that require access to certain ports, like gaming or torrenting.

Related Guide: Starlink CGNAT

How to Check if Virgin Media Uses CGNAT

To determine if your Virgin Media 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 on Virgin Media with PureVPN

CGNAT can interfere with specific online activities such as gaming, hosting servers, or remote network access. PureVPN’s Port Forwarding add-on provides a solution to these challenges. Here’s how to set it up: 

Step #1: Subscribe to PureVPN

Choose a PureVPN plan and include the Port Forwarding add-on. Choose your payment method, fill in the necessary details, and complete your purchase. 

Step #2: Download and Install PureVPN 

Get the PureVPN app for your preferred device and then log in with the credentials you created during the sign-up process.

Step #3: Log into the Member Area

Access the PureVPN Member Area and go to the Subscriptions tab. Here, find the Port Forwarding section and click Configure. 

Step #4: Configure Port Forwarding 

Choose the Enable specific ports option, enter the ports you want to open, and then click Apply Settings.

Step #5: Connect to a PF-Supported Server 

Connect to a server that supports port forwarding within the PureVPN app to enjoy uninterrupted access to your selected ports!

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Virgin Media use CGNAT?

Virgin Media uses CGNAT to manage IPv4 address scarcity by allowing multiple customers to share a single IP address, extending the usable life of their IPv4 resources.

Does Virgin Media provide static IP?

Virgin Media offers static IP addresses, but typically only to business customers who require a consistent IP address for activities like hosting servers or setting up secure remote access.