Apparently, it's EITHER static IPv4 OR IPv6 ? Errr... what now???

james1234 — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 17:34:03 GMT

Hi,

I recently been upgraded to FTTP. I have an IPv4 static /29 block, which (eventually) was successfully ported to the new connection. I am using a 3rd party router. I went in yesterday to configure IPv6... but the DHCPv6 client was not able to acquire a prefix.

So typically (if you didn't know) with IPv6 you get a large bunch of addresses under the same prefix. For business, typically a /56 or maybe a slash /64 prefix. This is normal. IPv6 space is unlikely to run out until we leave the galaxy. You can either statically configure this, or ask a DHCPv6 for it - which would ideally hand you your static reservation.

I can see the PPPoE session is up with IPv6 link-local both sides, but my DHCPv6 client got IA_PD response of Status NoPrefixAvail from the BT side in response to my SOLICIT. i.e. Their server said you can't have a block of IPv6 addresses. I mean, there are only 340 undecillion of them, perhaps BT are worried about running out.

"No problem", I though naively, it must be that I need to statically configure the prefix, or sign in with non-default credentials Currently I use "btbusinesshub@business.btclick.com" which works fine with the IPv4 static addresses.

So I contacted BT via the online chat.... after about an hour of trying I got a response. What was... that I had to choose EITHER a static IPv4 block OR a static IPv6 block, not both.

Now surely, this can't be true; since if so BT clearly doesn't understand how the internet works...

Sadly, the session then broke so I couldn't continue the conversation. I tried to phone in, but after waiting for 40 mins it became 6pm and I got disconnected...

Can anyone confirm if this absurdity is true, and if (hopefully) not, how best to go about getting a static IPv6 prefix?

Cheers,

James.

Re: Apparently, it's EITHER static IPv4 OR IPv6 ? Errr... what now???

BethM — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 14:56:15 GMT

Hi james1234

I'm sorry you were advised this. You mention a /29 IPv4 address so I assume you have the old 13 Static IPs product? Could you send over a private message with some account details so I can enquire into this further for you?

Re: Apparently, it's EITHER static IPv4 OR IPv6 ? Errr... what now???

james1234 — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:17:32 GMT

Hi Beth,
Thanks for responding - I'll DM you as requested and for other interested readers; I'll come back and update this thread with any relevant news.
James.

Re: Apparently, it's EITHER static IPv4 OR IPv6 ? Errr... what now???

james1234 — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 18:52:00 GMT

Hi all,
I'm delighted to report that BethM reached out to her dark and mysterious network of contacts and weaved her magic, and IPv6 is up and running. Amazing!
Thanks Beth!

topic Re: Apparently, it's EITHER static IPv4 OR IPv6 ? Errr... what now??? in Broadband

Apparently, it's EITHER static IPv4 OR IPv6 ? Errr... what now???

Re: Apparently, it's EITHER static IPv4 OR IPv6 ? Errr... what now???

Re: Apparently, it's EITHER static IPv4 OR IPv6 ? Errr... what now???

Re: Apparently, it's EITHER static IPv4 OR IPv6 ? Errr... what now???