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Does WOW! give you a public IP?

Short answer: New WOW! installs start on a private (shared) IPv4 address, but WOW! says you can get a public IP address at no extra cost: ask by chat or phone after installation. A static IP is not offered on residential plans.

Does it use CGNAT by default?

Yes, for new installs. WOW!'s help center article Can I get a public IP address with WOW!? says new services are installed with a private IP address, and that a public one is only needed for things like port forwarding, DMZ and dynamic DNS. Customers describe that private address as CGNAT (a WAN address in 100.64.0.0/10).

Official path to a public IPv4

Free, on request. The same article says a public IP address is available at no additional cost: contact WOW! by chat or phone after your installation and ask for it. After the switch, restart your router and check that its WAN address now matches your public IP (see below).

Static IP: WOW!'s help center says static IP addresses aren't available to residential customers; it points people who need one to its home office business accounts. A free public IP can still change from time to time, so pair it with dynamic DNS if you host anything.

Terms: WOW!'s residential internet terms ban servers that provide services to anyone outside your home network, and hosting server software on commonly recognized ports. A public IP doesn't change the terms. Details and the quote are on the WOW! ISP page.

What about IPv6?

We haven't found an official WOW! page on residential IPv6 yet. The checker shows whether IPv6 works on your line.

How to confirm on your line

  1. Follow how to tell if you're behind CGNAT: compare your router's WAN IP with your public IP.
  2. A WAN address in 100.64.0.0/10 is the shared CGNAT range (explainer).
  3. After WOW! switches you, use the checker's port test to see whether a forwarded port answers.

More detail and sources: Does WOW! use CGNAT?

This site sticks to ISP facts. It doesn't review or recommend third-party products or services. Policies change; check the linked WOW! pages before you rely on them.