Gigaclear questions

Hey folks,

Gigaclear are in the final stages of rolling out in to my villages. I'm just wondering if anyone on their platform can advise on the following:

1.) Do they provide IPv6 addresses yet? (can't find anything on searches)
2.) What type of NAT do they have going on? CGNAT or standard ISP stuff.
3.) What is the installation process like?

Cheers.

Still aren't available for me.

BT's roll out of fibre here has left me with very little choice. It seems like high cost and overkill on speeds 80/20 is my only option now.

Hi,

I work for gigaclear and can answer a few of these as I work on the teams implementing these changes.

IPv6 will be comming, we are currently building out the required systems.

You will be given an IP from our DHCP service which will be dynamic, but CGNAT will be coming in as the price for blocks of IPs has increased. We have a number of hurdles to get over with CGNAT first. I believe you can get a static ip if needed.

I am unsure for this last one.

IPv6 will be comming, we are currently building out the required systems.

Oh good.

You will be given an IP from our DHCP service which will be dynamic, but CGNAT will be coming in as the price for blocks of IPs has increased. We have a number of hurdles to get over with CGNAT first. I believe you can get a static ip if needed.

Oh dear - I hope CGNAT won't be forced onto existing customers? As a home based worker that would give me significant problems - and I've just renewed for another 18 months.

Edited by sheephouse (Wed 19-Jul-23 16:03:14)

In reply to a post by sheephouse:

IPv6 will be comming, we are currently building out the required systems.

Oh good.

I am curious to know what do you expect to do with IPv6?

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

I am curious to know what do you expect to do with IPv6?

I'd assume it lets people connect to servers and websites that aren't on the IPv4 network. Such as those behind IPv4 CGNAT in the UK, and websites that are not in English in Asia.

I have been a Gigaclear customer for 8 years. So far I have not wanted to have IPV6. Whilst my PCs could use IPV6 much of my other IP equipment can't so I am curious about what others do. What you mention is clearly a possibility.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

I have been a Gigaclear customer for 8 years. So far I have not wanted to have IPV6. Whilst my PCs could use IPV6 much of my other IP equipment can't so I am curious about what others do. What you mention is clearly a possibility.

My ISP (virgin media) doesn't do IPv6, but as a much older ISP they have sufficient IPv4 for every customer to have a globally routable IPv4 address.

Newer ISPs and networks don't have the option, as IPv4 has run out, and new ISP companies cannot buy anymore.

Often kit that can't handle IPv6 is quite old and often only needs to connect outbound, so a NAT address on a home or company network, or a CGNAT address from an ISP, will work without issue.

You're not going to get good feedback if you roll out CGNAT, that's not a good idea with the way your company is marketing themselves at gamers... CGNAT really isn't a good idea. I'll be paying the extra for a static IP and hoping you get iPv6 up and running before CGNAT roll outs start.

Most modern platforms are migrating to IPv6, and cutting off IPv4 access. It's more secure and allows for a lot more connections to be generated.

I would expect any modern ISP to have had IPv6 included in their roll out plans, clearly Gigaclear hasn't future proofed themselves very well.

In reply to a post by Bryer:

Most modern platforms are migrating to IPv6, and cutting off IPv4 access.

What "platforms" are you talking about? Gaming platforms?

Perhaps you can give some examples of ones which are "cutting off IPv4 access", to support your claim that "most" of them are?

I am curious to know what do you expect to do with IPv6?

Sorry for the delay in answering this.

Most of the servers I connect to for remote work have IPv6 addresses (as do my local machines), although most do also have IPv4 addresses. However, the (slightly) lower latency will be very welcome.

In reply to the 3rd question it depends on the area, in my village I know of multiple people where they just failed to install for a multitude of various reasons.

Thanks
Dan

In reply to a post by Ducksonspeed:

IPv6 will be comming, we are currently building out the required systems.

Do you have a timescale for this?

In reply to a post by Ducksonspeed:

Hi,

I work for gigaclear and can answer a few of these as I work on the teams implementing these changes.

IPv6 will be comming, we are currently building out the required systems.

You will be given an IP from our DHCP service which will be dynamic, but CGNAT will be coming in as the price for blocks of IPs has increased. We have a number of hurdles to get over with CGNAT first. I believe you can get a static ip if needed.

I am unsure for this last one.

Good to see you replying. FYI as a resident of recently completed or-soon-to-go-live Brackley I'd have signed up if:

a)You provided IPv6 (my current ISP has been offering it dual-stack for nearly 20 years).
b)You offered a static IPv4 address with a single payment (my current ISP offers it as standard but I accept that's probably impractical now).

So for now I'm happy to wait for Openreach.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

I am curious to know what do you expect to do with IPv6?

I'd assume it lets people connect to servers and websites that aren't on the IPv4 network. Such as those behind IPv4 CGNAT in the UK, and websites that are not in English in Asia.

For me it's not about what I can do with it. It's entirely about why the *censored* would any ISP not offer IPv6 as standard in this day and age. And in particular why would anyone have built a new network in the last few years and not baked IPv6 in as a matter of course?

To me it smacks of an ISP that lacks technical knowledge and experience.

(Sorry).

Edited by Andrue (Fri 29-Sep-23 14:25:39)

+1

Apart from the minor detail that Gigaclear went live in my area of Didcot today, it could have been me who typed that... but I thought I'd be gentle and just see if they had anything to say about an IPv6 timescale

Virgin Media's business division does IPv6 on leased lines to offices etc, but nothing on their consumer division. They don't do CGNAT thankfully, but they do have 30 year old cabling that falls apart. Your profile says Plusnet, which I suspect is incorrect as they certainly don't do IPv6... it does sound as if you are on AAISP, so I guess you have either a high speed FTTC or an Openreach FTTP connection.

Not an option to all whom can get Gigaclear.

The sad fact is there is nothing IPv6 only in the UK... if a website such as GOV.UK went to IPv6 only then it would force the ISPs to update. Until then the majority of v6 only websites are in languages most of the UK can't read.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

Virgin Media's business division does IPv6 on leased lines to offices etc, but nothing on their consumer division. They don't do CGNAT thankfully, but they do have 30 year old cabling that falls apart. Your profile says Plusnet, which I suspect is incorrect as they certainly don't do IPv6... it does sound as if you are on AAISP, so I guess you have either a high speed FTTC or an Openreach FTTP connection.

Oops, I'd forgotten I even had a profile on here because I hide them. I'll update it. I've been on IDNet for many years now. I left PN when they announced closure of their IPv6 beta programme for the same reason that I wouldn't switch to an ISP that didn't offer it.

I'm on FTTC. Gigaclear and Swish have recently finished laying FTTP around my town and both run past my house. But since neither offer IPv6 I'm waiting for Openreach which of course has the added advantage of saving me the hassle of changing ISP.

The sad fact is there is nothing IPv6 only in the UK... if a website such as GOV.UK went to IPv6 only then it would force the ISPs to update. Until then the majority of v6 only websites are in languages most of the UK can't read.

Which misses my point. IPv6 is not a new protocol. It's been around for 20 years. Any ISP that doesn't offer it is technically deficient. Lack of IPv6 might not hamper my use of the internet but it leads me to question what else about their network might be technically deficient.

Edited by Andrue (Fri 29-Sep-23 19:57:03)

In reply to a post by billford:

+1

Apart from the minor detail that Gigaclear went live in my area of Didcot today, it could have been me who typed that... but I thought I'd be gentle and just see if they had anything to say about an IPv6 timescale

I'm not sure if they've actually gone live in Brackley yet. Swish have because I've seen one of neighbours having it installed. But if there's any consolation here for Gigaclear it's that Swish are no better on the IPv6/CGNAT front.

In reply to a post by Andrue:

same reason that I wouldn't switch to an ISP that didn't offer it.

Gotcha, its very important to you. Doesn't necessarily mean its important to everyone in 2023.

I'm on FTTC. Gigaclear and Swish have recently finished laying FTTP around my town and both run past my house. But since neither offer IPv6 I'm waiting for Openreach which of course has the added advantage of saving me the hassle of changing ISP.

Good luck waiting, I'm waiting on Toob and F&W/Hey both of whom are building but flats & wayleaves are a nightmare. No sign of Openreach FTTP except on one new development other side of town.

Which misses my point. IPv6 is not a new protocol. It's been around for 20 years. Any ISP that doesn't offer it is technically deficient. Lack of IPv6 might not hamper my use of the internet but it leads me to question what else about their network might be technically deficient.

I'm not sure my corporate network is "technically deficient" or my customers, and for my usage neither is my ISP, but you obviously have different needs. CGNAT is essentially what we are behind at work, over 100,000 staff across Europe.

With all due respect @jchamier, CGNAT is fine for corporate working, not so good for consumer lines.

It basically stops online gaming from working correctly and can cause companies to issue a network ban to a innocent customer, who's sharing a address with another cheating user.

@Andrue - I'm going live with Gigaclear on the 27.10. They claim my area was built with IPv6 enabled from launch, so we'll see.

In reply to a post by Bryer:

With all due respect @jchamier, CGNAT is fine for corporate working, not so good for consumer lines.

If by "consumer" you mean "gamer" then yes, I agree. However there is no solution to the lack of IPv4 addresses as they have run out. The problem is some ISPs that have not deployed IPv6 at the same time as games and gaming platforms (e.g. XBox, PlayStation or Steam) should really work on both.

It basically stops online gaming from working correctly and can cause companies to issue a network ban to a innocent customer, who's sharing a address with another cheating user. And that happens on dynamic IP addresses around the globe anyway. In some countries IP addresses on cable or DSL or FTTP connections change daily.

Banning consumers by IP is futile as most game platforms realise. Banning by login or credit card is more effective.

Hi, did you get IPv6? I have Gigaclear available but am split between going with them or Squirrel Internet who are a lot smaller. I want to move my landline too.

Hi Mark,

Yes got Gigaclear, but no IPv6 at present. They stated it's still in development, but considering they use a DHCP server to issue customers IP addresses, seems a weird move to still not have it rolled out.

Thanks for the reply. I think I'll just go with Squirrel Internet as they have IPV6 already. But I am still deciding between then and Gigaclear, however CGNAT I read is not a good thing but Gigaclear are implementing it on their network; Squirrel said they don't use it.

Squirrel won't use it if they have IPv6.

Gigaclear have said they may use it if they run out of IPv4 before their IPv6 is ready. But you can avoid CGNAT by adding Static IP address to your account with Gigaclear.

In reply to a post by Bryer:

Squirrel won't use it if they have IPv6.

That doesn't make sense.

You deploy CGNAT if you've run out of IPv4 (and don't want to buy any more). It doesn't depend on whether you've deployed IPv6 or not.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

You deploy CGNAT if you've run out of IPv4 (and don't want to buy any more).

Or can't afford the price (its going up) or can't purchase enough for all your customers.

It doesn't depend on whether you've deployed IPv6 or not.

Sadly there are a few ISPs that are CGNAT without IPv6 which can be frustrating.

Not all CGNAT ISPs will have any option of a public IP, and this option will be reducing as the years go on.

Any provider should be transitioning away from IPv4 in all honesty. If the provider is offering IPv6, would make sense for them to only roll out and reduce their usage of CGNAT as it's really not needed with IPv6.

In reply to a post by Bryer:

Any provider should be transitioning away from IPv4 in all honesty.

Someone tell Plusnet and Virgin Media whom both only offer IPv4.