How IP Addresses Are Assigned
Every device that connects to the internet needs an IP address. Your ISP is responsible for assigning that address to your router. There are two fundamentally different ways this can work: dynamic assignment, where the address can change over time, and static assignment, where the address is permanently fixed. Understanding which type you have matters for privacy, hosting, and remote access.
You can check your current public IP at any time using the What's My IP tool. For background on what IP addresses are, see our guide on what an IP address is.
Dynamic IP Addresses
A dynamic IP address is assigned automatically by your ISP using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). The ISP maintains a pool of available IP addresses and "leases" one to your router for a fixed period — typically 24 hours to 7 days. While your connection remains active and the lease is renewed automatically, your IP may stay the same for weeks. However, when you disconnect, reboot your router, or the lease expires without renewal, the ISP may assign a different address from the pool.
Dynamic IPs are the default for virtually all residential broadband connections in the UAE from both e& and Du. They are cheaper for ISPs to manage because they can serve more customers than they have IP addresses — customers who are offline return their leased IP to the pool.
Static IP Addresses
A static IP address is permanently assigned to your connection. It does not change between sessions, reboots, or lease expirations. Every time your router connects to the ISP, it receives the same address.
Static IPs are typically offered as a paid business add-on in the UAE. Both e& and Du provide them to business customers for an additional monthly fee. Residential customers generally need to upgrade to a business-grade plan to access this option.
CGNAT: When Your Public IP Is Shared
CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) is a layer of NAT that ISPs place between their customers and the public internet. Instead of each customer having their own public IP address, multiple customers share a single public IP, with the ISP's CGNAT system handling the translation internally.
CGNAT is common on Du mobile data and on some residential broadband plans in the UAE. Under CGNAT:
- Port forwarding is impossible — incoming connections cannot be routed to your specific device.
- Hosting any service (web server, VPN, CCTV) from home is not feasible without a workaround.
- Your apparent public IP may be shared with dozens or hundreds of other customers.
- Some online games and peer-to-peer applications may have connectivity issues.
To learn more about why your IP address appears to change, see our guide on why your IP address changes.
Static vs. Dynamic vs. CGNAT Comparison
| Feature | Dynamic IP | Static IP | CGNAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address changes? | Possibly on reconnect | Never | Yes, and shared |
| Port forwarding | Yes (via router) | Yes (via router) | No |
| Host a server | With DDNS workaround | Yes, reliably | No |
| Remote desktop / VPN | With DDNS workaround | Yes, reliably | No |
| Extra cost in UAE | No (default) | Yes (business add-on) | No (ISP decision) |
| Common on | Residential fibre (e& / Du) | Business plans | Du mobile, some residential |
| Privacy | Moderate (IP rotates) | Lower (fixed target) | Higher (shared address) |
When Do You Need a Static IP?
A static IP is worth the extra cost in these scenarios:
- Hosting a web or game server — Clients need a permanent address to connect to.
- Running a VPN server at home — VPN client configurations use a fixed address.
- Remote desktop access — Connecting to your home PC from abroad is simpler with a fixed IP.
- CCTV remote monitoring — Security camera apps often require a static IP or DDNS.
- Business operations — Email servers, payment systems, and whitelisting partners typically require a fixed IP.
Dynamic DNS: A Budget Alternative
If you have a dynamic IP and cannot justify the cost of a static IP, Dynamic DNS (DDNS) is a practical middle ground. Services like No-IP, DuckDNS, and Dynu provide a fixed hostname (e.g., myhome.ddns.net) that automatically updates to point to your current IP whenever it changes. A small client application on your router or PC handles the update.
DDNS has limitations: there is a brief window of unreachability during each IP change, and it does not work at all under CGNAT. If your ISP uses CGNAT, you will need a static IP, a VPN service with port forwarding, or a cloud-hosted reverse proxy to expose services to the internet.
How to Get a Static IP in the UAE
- e& — Contact e& Business (business.etisalat.ae) or call the business support line. Static IP is available as a monthly add-on on fibre business plans.
- Du — Contact Du Business (du.ae/en/business) for a static IP add-on. Residential customers may need to switch to a business plan.
For context on how ISPs manage IP address assignment, see our guides on what an ISP is and why your IP address changes.