The IPv4 standard for Internet IP addresses was established back in 1981, with 4.3 billion IP addresses available, according to TechRadar. But as technology has expanded, the pool of available IP addresses under that standard has begun to run dry. Today, much of the Internet has moved on to the new standard of IPv6 but many companies with existing IPv4 infrastructure continue to need more IPv4 addresses to expand their Internet footprint as they slowly work on switching over to IPv6. The lack of new IPv4 addresses available from Internet service providers has created a third-party market for existing addresses. Companies that have fully transferred to IPv6 are now willing to sell their old IPv4 addresses to other companies who still have the need for them. If you are part of a company or an individual who is looking to sell IPv4 addresses, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind to protect yourself during and after the transaction.

Your Buyer Needs Pre-Approval

IPv4 addresses are regulated by regional Internet registries, known as RIRs. You can't just hand someone an IP address if it is registered to someone else. Your buyer needs to seek pre-approval from their regional registry to acquire the IP address. The American Registry for Internet Numbers can provide contact information for the various regional registries around the world.

Your Buyer Needs to Be Financially Set Up and Ready to Go

IPv4 address transfers often involve transferring ownership from a company or individual in one area of the world to another. Because of the international implications, you need to do your due diligence to make sure your buyer is ready to make a reliable transfer. If you are using Escrow for the process, has it been set up properly? Do you understand any fees associated with transferring from one RIR to another? Make sure all i's are dotted and t's are crossed when dealing with any kind of international business transaction before you move forward.

Is It Worth Holding?

As IPv4 addresses become more scarce and harder to acquire, the value of old IPv4 addresses on the market will increase. The price per IP address is higher in some parts of the world than in others, based on supply and demand. Take a look at the market before you sell. Are your IP addresses in a range that is likely to become more valuable over time? Make sure you factor that into your final price or consider holding onto the address for a little while longer.

What's happening with IPv4 addresses today sounds complicated but it's really just an issue of supply and demand. With few new IPv4 addresses available from Internet service providers, a viable third-party resell market has sprung up. If you want to unload some of your unneeded IP addresses, make sure you and the buyer are on the same page before moving forward. This includes making sure the buyer has pre-approval from their local regional registry and you both have sorted out the financial details of a potentially international transaction. Finally, remember there's nothing wrong with holding onto the addresses for a bit longer if you feel the price per address will go up over time. Contact IPTrading.com for more information. 

Share