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[The Signal](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal) 2. Category:[Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) [Internet HelpCategory](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) # A Guide to Public vs. privadas vs. estáticas vs. Dynamic IP Addresses Published: October 3, 2024 |3 min read If you want to connect to internet, and everyone does, you'll need an Internet Protocol (IP) address. La dirección de IP es una cadena de números única que se utiliza para identificar tu dispositivo en una red, y hay muchos tipos y definiciones diferentes que podemos encontrar. So, let's start with public vs. private IP addresses and go from there!  #### Jump to a Section 1. [Public IP address](https://www.t-mobile.com#1) 2. [Private IP address](https://www.t-mobile.com#2) 3. [What are static vs. dynamic IP addresses?](https://www.t-mobile.com#3) 4. [IPv4 vs. IPv6 differences](https://www.t-mobile.com#4) - Compartir "Guía de direcciones de IP públicas vs. privadas vs. estáticas vs. Dynamic IP Addresses" on X - Share "A Guide to Public vs. privadas vs. estáticas vs. Dynamic IP Addresses" on Facebook - Share "A Guide to Public vs. privadas vs. estáticas vs. Dynamic IP Addresses" on LinkedIn ## __Public IP address__ Think of a public IP address like your home address, but for your device. Es completamente único para ti y, sin él, no podrías conseguir que te entregaran o enviaran paquetes importantes. Pero con una dirección de IP pública, los "paquetes" van y vienen en forma de datos y, al igual que ocurre con la dirección de una casa, es visible para cualquiera que quiera enviarte algo. While the post office predetermines your home address-your [internet service provider (ISP)](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/isp/what-is-a-wireless-internet-service-provider-wisp) assigns your public IP address. For example, when you search on the internet, you're using a public IP address. ## __Private IP address__ If a public IP address is like a home address, a private IP address is like a bedroom in your house. Desde luego, no hace falta que compartas ninguna información sobre el mismo para que te envíen "paquetes" o datos importantes a tu casa. Las direcciones de IP privadas son así. They're used within a smaller network, like your [private home Wi-Fi network](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/security-and-wifi-how-does-a-vpn-work), and they're not directly accessible from the internet or assigned by your ISP. Son direcciones internas utilizadas para la comunicación entre dispositivos dentro de tu red doméstica. For example, connected devices like your PC, laptop, TV, smart assistant, doorbell, etc., each uses a private IP address in order to communicate. ## __What are static vs. dynamic IP addresses?__ Simply put: a static IP address doesn't change, while a dynamic IP address does. For example, your ISP will give you an IP address to use for a while but (unbeknownst to you most likely) it'll probably change every now and then-because ISPs have a limited number of IP addresses to give out, so they tend to recycle them among users. ## __IPv4 vs. IPv6__ __differences__ Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) is the fourth (legacy) version of IP, while, you guessed it, IPv6 is being touted as the sixth "latest and greatest" version. Antes hablamos de la cantidad limitada de direcciones de IP que hay. Pues bien, IPv6 está en proceso de sustituir a la versión anterior para dar cabida a la creciente cantidad de redes en todo el mundo y ayudar a resolver el problema de la escasez de direcciones de IP. También tienen un aspecto diferente. IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numerical values (e.g., four numbers separated by periods: __123.456.78.90__), IPv6 are 128-bit (e.g., eight groups of four separated by colons: __2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334__). While the transition has been somewhat slow, IPv6 is making headway and, in theory, is supposed to be [faster](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/got-need-for-faster-internet-speed), while offering everyone more [security](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/wi-fi-security-essential-protections) down the road. Repetimos: la persona común probablemente no notará nada en absoluto durante algún tiempo. T-Mobile is America's fastest growing [Home Internet](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet) provider. [Find out if it's available](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/eligibility) in your area and then [try it out for 15 days](https://www.t-mobile.com/support/home-internet/15-day-test-drive) to see if it works for you. __Sources:__ [https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/ip-address-internet-protocol-address](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/ip-address-internet-protocol-address) [https://www.avg.com/en/signal/public-vs-private-ip-address](https://www.avg.com/en/signal/public-vs-private-ip-address) [https://www.scaler.in/public-and-private-ip-addresses/](https://www.scaler.in/public-and-private-ip-addresses/) [https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/static-vs-dynamic-ip](https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/static-vs-dynamic-ip) [https://whatismyipaddress.com/dynamic-static](https://whatismyipaddress.com/dynamic-static) [https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/internet-protocol-version-6-ipv6-consumers](https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/internet-protocol-version-6-ipv6-consumers) [https://www.linksys.com/in/support-article](https://www.linksys.com/in/support-article/?articleNum=139604) [https://www.sidn.nl/en/news-and-blogs/tipping-point-reached-transition-to-ipv6-enters-a-new-phase](https://www.sidn.nl/en/news-and-blogs/tipping-point-reached-transition-to-ipv6-enters-a-new-phase) [https://domainwheel.com/ipv4-vs-ipv6](https://domainwheel.com/ipv4-vs-ipv6/#ip4-ip6-better-option) Tags - [Compare](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/compare) - [Security](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/security) ## Related Articles NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/ethernet-vs-wifi) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/ethernet-vs-wifi) [Speed](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/speed) ## [Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi: Which Connection is Best for You?](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/ethernet-vs-wifi) April 29, 2026 NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/wi-fi-6-vs-wi-fi-7) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/wi-fi-6-vs-wi-fi-7) [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) ## [Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7: Key Differences, Features, and Should You Upgrade?](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/wi-fi-6-vs-wi-fi-7) January 20, 2026 NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-malware) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-malware) [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) ## [What Is Malware? How It Works, Common Types & How to Protect Yourself](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-malware) December 16, 2025 ### Find out if your home address is eligible for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. [Check availability](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/eligibility) Top