How to Get Around CGNAT on Virgin Telco Broadband In Spain

Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) is commonly used by internet service providers (ISPs) like Virgin Telco to manage IP address shortages. While CGNAT helps ISPs allocate IP addresses efficiently, it can cause issues for users who need a public IP for activities like hosting servers, remote access, or online gaming. If you’re facing limitations due to CGNAT, here’s how you can effectively work around it.

What is Virgin Telco?

Virgin Telco is a telecommunications provider that operates as part of the Virgin Group, a global brand known for its ventures in various industries, including airlines, media, and telecom. Virgin Telco focuses on offering broadband internet, mobile phone services, and television packages, typically aimed at residential and small-business customers. Its services are often designed to be competitive in terms of pricing, flexibility, and bundling options.

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 to Get Around Virgin Telco CGNAT: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Check If Virgin Telco Offers Public IPs

The first step is to determine whether Virgin Telco provides an option for a public IP. Many Spanish ISPs offer this service for an additional fee. Contact Virgin Telco support and inquire about upgrading to a static or dynamic public IP. This option is often the simplest and most reliable solution.

2. Use a VPN With Port Forwarding

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) with port forwarding features can bypass CGNAT by routing your traffic through their servers, which have public IPs. Here’s how:

1. Choose a VPN provider: Opt for a VPN that supports port forwarding, such as Private Internet Access or PureVPN.
2. Set up the VPN: Install the VPN app on your device or configure it on your router.
3. Enable port forwarding: Follow your VPN provider’s instructions to forward the required ports.

This method is especially useful for accessing devices on your home network remotely or improving peer-to-peer connectivity.

3. Set Up a Reverse Proxy

A reverse proxy, such as Ngrok or Cloudflare Tunnel, can expose specific services on your local network to the internet without requiring a public IP. Here’s a quick overview:

1. Install the tool: Download and install a reverse proxy service like Ngrok.
2. Configure the proxy: Set it up to forward traffic from the internet to the desired device or application on your network.
3. Use the provided URL: Access your device or service through the unique URL provided by the reverse proxy.

This approach works well for remote access but may not be ideal for all gaming scenarios.

4. Consider a Third-Party DDNS Solution

Dynamic DNS (DDNS) services can help maintain a consistent domain name that maps to your changing IP address. While CGNAT complicates this, some advanced DDNS setups combined with a VPN or reverse proxy can still provide a workaround.

1. Sign up for a DDNS service: Choose providers like No-IP or DynDNS.
2. Integrate with a VPN: Pair DDNS with a VPN service that offers a public IP, ensuring your domain points to the VPN’s IP address.

5. Upgrade to a Dedicated Server or VPS

For advanced users, renting a Virtual Private Server (VPS) or dedicated server with a public IP can provide an unrestricted environment for hosting applications. You can configure your home devices to communicate with the VPS, effectively bypassing CGNAT.

Why Work Around CGNAT?

CGNAT can interfere with several internet activities, such as:

• Hosting online servers (game servers, web servers).
• Using peer-to-peer applications efficiently.
• Accessing home devices remotely (CCTV, NAS).
• Reducing lag in multiplayer online games.

By implementing one or more of the solutions above, you can regain control over your internet connection and enjoy the full benefits of a public IP.

How to Check if Virgin Telco Broadband Uses CGNAT In Spain

To determine if your Virgin Telco 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 Virgin Telco 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

While CGNAT is becoming more common due to the IPv4 shortage, there are practical ways to bypass its limitations. Whether you choose to upgrade your plan with Virgin Telco or use tools like VPNs and reverse proxies, the best solution depends on your specific needs and technical expertise. Evaluate your options and select the one that aligns with your goals for connectivity and performance.