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Why are they so valuable?

• lolc 7y ago
  Because there are only four billion addresses all in all. Every device that wants to be reachable on the Internet needs one. These days, mobile devices don't get a public address anymore and there are all sorts of complications due to it. We're slowly transitioning to a new scheme with ample address space. But to nobody's surprise it's taking decades longer than envisioned.
  • sleepychu 7y ago
    Hopefully it's surprising to the envisioner(s)!
    • lolc 7y ago
      I assume it was willful optimism on the part of the envisioners. If you tell people it will take decades it will take even longer!