Skip to main content

Microsoft pays a premium for Nortel IPv4 addresses

microsoft logo (sign)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Earlier this year, the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) distributed the last unallocated blocks of IPv4 addresses, meaning, in some senses, the existing Internet had “run out of space.” Exhausting the pool of IPv4 addresses doesn’t mean the end of the world, but it should serve as impetus for network operators and organizations to shift to the much-larger (and more complex) IPv6 technology. However, it also means that when significant blocks of old-school IPv4 addresses go up for sale, they might command a premium…and tech giant Microsoft has just proven that by paying some $7.5 million to acquire a sizable block of IPv4 addresses from bankrupt Nortel Networks.

Details of the acquisition came to light in papers filed with the Delaware bankruptcy court handing Nortel Networks’ divestitures. Microsoft will be paying the $7.5 million to acquire some 666,624 IPv4 addresses that were being sold off as part of the company’s assets. Doing the math, that means Microsoft is paying about $11.25 per address—that’s more than it costs to register a domain name, even in pricier TLDs like .com. More than 80 companies bid on parts of Nortel’s assets, although only four placed bids for the IPv4 address space. If the sale is approved, Microsoft will take control of just over 470,000 of the addresses immediately, with the remaining addresses being released to Microsoft as Nortel’s former customers migrate to other spaces.

Nortel was once the largest maker of telecommunications equipment in North America, but the once-mighty telecommunications company was one of the first to fall during the recent worldwide economic downturn, filing for bankruptcy in early 2009.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
New Microsoft Surface Laptop 3+ or Laptop 4 could arrive soon
microsoft surface go pro book laptop deals amazon best buy pre memorial day sale 3

Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ with LTE Advanced | First Look at Design, Specs, and Internals

A new Surface Laptop could be coming soon: Four different models of the rumored next version of the Microsoft Surface Laptop have passed through Bluetooth.org certifications, according to a report from WinCentral.

Read more
Microsoft’s Chromium Edge browser killer feature? 4K Netflix streaming
Netflix iPad Press Photo

Another possible feature for Microsoft’s forthcoming Chromium-based Edge browser has recently come to light. According to TechRadar, Microsoft’s newest and Chromium-powered version of its Edge browser may also support 4K Netflix streaming.

The 4K streaming capability was discovered by a Reddit user who posted a screenshot of the Chromium Edge browser clearly showing flags for enabling PlayReady, which is the DRM (digital rights management) required for 4K streaming. According to the rest of the Reddit post, this is in addition providing support for WideVine.

Read more
Best color laser printers for 2024: tested and reviewed
A Brother printer on a counter in front of a brick wall.

The best color laser printers can be a great investment, saving you quite a bit of time and money. For shoppers worried about the long-term ink costs, you'll find color laser printers surprisingly affordable. Laser printers use toner, which lasts a very long time, delivering a low cost per page for monochrome documents and fast color prints. The best color laser printers offer quick performance and reliability to help keep your home office or small business productive.

If you need to scan documents for record-keeping and photo capture or want the convenience of a color copier, an all-in-one color laser printer is an essential tool for your small business or personal use. For a small added cost, you get expanded capabilities. That's why every model on this list is an all-in-one from the best printer brands.

Read more