Resilient IPv4 Demand Amid Trumps $42 Billion BEAD Delays

The network and infrastructure industry has always been under some sort of duress or transition. Shifting policies, technology upgrades, economic headwinds, and endless rounds of government red tape have tested progress time and time again. Yet the fundamental building blocks of the global internet has remained largely unchanged due to time and manual labor requirements, billions of dollars in Capex investments, backwards compatibility issues and preventing the high likelihood of client turnover.

As we move through 2025, the strength of IPv4 demand is undeniable. Despite delays in the $42 Billion in BEAD funding under the Trump administration and the added pressure of new tariffs impacting infrastructure costs, the IPv4 market is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, might be more important now than ever to help add some consistency during times of uncertainty.

The numbers tell the story. So far in 2025, the average number of IPv4 transfer requests is 157 per month. A notable increase of +8% compared to 145 in 2024, an increase +11% compared to 141 in 2023, and a significant increase of +17% compared to 134 in 2022. Every year, even against challenging backdrops, demand continues to climb, while decreasing prices finally stabilized last year. Most interesting of all, the 157 average is on par with average transfer requests in 2021, which yielded the highest IPv4 prices the market had ever reached.

This sustained growth flies in the face of conventional wisdom. Many expected BEAD funding delays and economic uncertainty to dampen expansion plans for ISPs, cloud providers, and enterprise networks. However these providers continue to move plans forward and take advantage of the currently discounted prices of IPv4 addresses, which remain to be the integral building blocks of our internet. Companies know that network expansion, customer growth, and digital services don’t pause simply because Washington can’t make up its mind.

IPv4 remains an indispensable asset in today’s digital economy. It is no longer merely about connectivity; it is about scalability, operational stability, and maintaining a critical competitive edge. As broadband expansion progresses — with or without government funding — the demand for IPv4 subnets continues to intensify, particularly in underserved and emerging markets where infrastructure is still predominantly built on IPv4.

The enduring strength of the IPv4 market underscores the realities of modern networking. In a landscape where agility, responsiveness to customer demand, and speed to market and minimizing potential issues are paramount, organizations prioritize proven solutions over the complexities of adopting newer, largely supplemental technologies. While tariffs have driven up hardware costs and BEAD delays have slowed some infrastructure projects, the digital race remains in full force — and IPv4 remains a golden ticket to growth.

Amid a year of widespread uncertainty, IPv4 addresses continue to represent one of the most reliable and strategic investments, delivering predictable outcomes and fueling the stable, essential growth that the global economy demands.