Setup

Static IP and APN setup for 5G routers

Here's how to get a static IP address working on a static IP SIM card. It takes one change: switch your router's cellular APN to the static IP APN below. The IP stays assigned to your line for the life of the add-on.

Your APN

iot.cc.static

Enter this exactly as shown. Lowercase, no spaces.

What is an APN?

An APN (Access Point Name) tells the cellular network which gateway your SIM connects through. Every plan has a default APN. Static IP service uses its own APN, iot.cc.static, so the network routes your line to the static IP pool instead of the regular dynamic one.

Static vs. dynamic IP on 5G

On the default APN, you'll get a public dynamic IPv4 address in most cases, but that depends on your location and isn't guaranteed the way a static IP is. A dynamic address can also change. The static IP APN gives your line a fixed public IP that stays the same. That's what you want for remote access: reaching cameras, a VPN server, or a router's admin page from outside your network without chasing a new address.

You may also see private APNs mentioned. Those put devices on a closed network that the internet can't reach, which is a different setup from a static IP.

If your router shows 192.0.0.2 instead of your static IP, here's why some 5G backup devices can't get a static IP.

How to set it

General steps (any router)

Exact menu names vary by router, but the path is similar on every device.

  1. 1

    Open your router's admin page

    On Peplink: InControl, or the local web UI at the router's IP address. On UniFi: Network app. On a different router: the manufacturer's web UI.

  2. 2

    Find the cellular WAN settings

    Usually under Network › WAN › Cellular, or Connection Settings. Look for an "APN" field. It may currently be blank, set to automatic, or set to the carrier default.

  3. 3

    Enter the APN

    Switch from automatic to manual. Type iot.cc.static into the APN field. Leave username, password, and authentication type blank or as "none." Save and reconnect.

  4. 4

    Verify the IP

    After the modem reconnects, your WAN IP should be the static IP we provisioned. Confirm at whatismyip.com from a device behind the router.

Peplink router
  1. Open your router's web admin and go to the Dashboard. Under WAN Connection Status, click the name of the cellular connection that has your Crosstalk Mobile SIM.
  2. Scroll down to Cellular Settings. In the Operator Settings row, choose Custom for the SIM slot your SIM is in (SIM A or SIM B).
  3. In the APN field, enter iot.cc.static. Leave Username and Password blank.
  4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save and Apply.
  5. Go back to the Dashboard. Once the cellular connection shows Connected, the IP address next to it should be your static IP.

This example uses a MAX BR2 Pro on firmware 8.6. Most Peplink models use the same menus.

Setting the APN to iot.cc.static on a Peplink router's cellular WAN settings
UniFi (U5G Max and other UniFi cellular devices)
  1. In the UniFi Network app, open the Devices view from the left sidebar.
  2. Select your U5G Max (or other UniFi cellular device) to open its panel, then click the Settings (gear) tab.
  3. Under Cellular, pick the slot your Crosstalk Mobile SIM is in (SIM 1, SIM 2 or eSIM).
  4. Check Use custom APN and enter iot.cc.static.
  5. Apply the change. Once the device reconnects, its WAN IP should be your static IP.
UniFi Network Devices view with a U5G Max selected and the Use custom APN option in its Cellular settings

Have a different router? Use the general steps, or contact our team for help. Don't have a static IP yet? Add one to your line from the Static IP product page.