A few years ago, it was easy to bypass geo-blocks online. Any VPN service did the job, and you could with a few mouse clicks get access to all sorts of Netflix regions and TV channels all across the world. But, since the start of January 2016, this has changed.
Big TV networks and streaming providers such as Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO Now now blocks IP addresses well known to originate from VPN providers and proxy providers. For that reason, it can be really hard to find a VPN provider that will actually let you stream services such as American Netflix, Amazon Prime in the USA, Hulu in the USA, BBC and ITV in the UK, and so on. And, if you want to get access to Netflix in any other country of the world, it is even harder and more complicated.
I have been out looking for working VPN providers for streaming services such as these ones for years. To find something that works, you often have to connect to lots of different VPN servers provided by different VPN providers. But, that doesn't always bring around a solution either. If you visit netflix.fromabroad.org you can see that there are quite a lot of Netflix regions for which I have no working VPN solution, meaning that I do not know how you can actually get access to those regions from abroad... until now!
What is IPSX?
IPSX is a cryptocurrency based IP Exchange running with its own token, IPSX. It launched earlier in October, meaning it is still in the very beginning, but it is still revolutionizing the way things work if you want to bypass geo-blocks. If you own IPSX tokens, you can easily buy the right to use a proxy server in almost any nation in the world, and many of these are still not blocked by the famous streaming services. As I tested the platform thoroughly a few days ago, I managed to access most of the Netflix regions that I haven't had working methods for earlier. In the same way, I could use IPSX to watch ITV and BBC in the UK, ZDF in Germany, Tenplay in Australia, and lots of other TV channels and networks.
As I tried to change my Netflix region, I discovered that lots of the IPSX proxies work perfectly. And, the way I see it, it will only get better and better. At the moment, only datacenters can "rent out" their available IP addresses to the IPSX platform. Such IP's are quite easy to track and discover by streaming services, but still, it works very well at the moment. But, at the moment private persons can start renting out their IP addresses (coming soon), it will be almost impossible to block... The result is, IPSX will most likely start a new era for those out there looking for ways to bypass geo-blocks.
Here I am watching Justice League on Netflix in Australia using an IPSX proxy
The IPSX platform
The IPSX platform can be found at app.ip.sx. If you do not own any IPSX tokens you can buy them at Cryptocoin, or for example at the Liquid exchange. When you buy a proxy, you will find a selection of different options. Some are only available for a couple of hours, while some are for 1 day, 7 days, or for 1 month. Some packages give you access to 1 GB of data, while others give you access to 2 GB of data (larger packages will come). But, with a 2 GB package, you can easily stream a full movie at Netflix, so it is enough for quite a lot!
If you, for example, want to stream a movie on Netflix in another region, you only buy a package valid for 3 hours with 2 GB of data (which normally cost somewhere between 0.2-0.4 USD). It is easy to activate the proxy, and you are ready to go!
It is important to notice that IPSX is not a replacement for a VPN. It is a perfect solution if you want to bypass geo-blocks or simply change your IP address. But, if you want a service that will encrypt your data and keep you safe online, a traditional VPN service should be used instead.
Update! The CEO of the IPSX project, George Bunea, made the following comment based on the above statement related to using a VPN instead of IPSX: "There will be a VPN layer and also we plan to add shadowsocks on the platform. Shadowsocks supports encryption directly, no VPN required."
After testing the platform I am really curious to see how this will evolve and move on. But, the way I see it, IPSX has the potential to start a new era for those looking for ways to bypass geo-blocks online!
What do you think? Have you tested IPSX? I would love to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions related to the platform.