[lolc]

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]

Hopefully it's surprising to the envisioner(s)!

[lolc]

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!