Australia gets geoblocking bypass support from Competition Policy Review

The Australian government has been urged to investigate a raft of methods to circumvent geoblocking, following the release of the draft report of the Competition Policy Review.

In a boost for Netflix and Australian VPN users, the comprehensive report supported the ways used by consumers to bypass geoblocks such as via use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or routing through a US Domain Name System (DNS) server.

The report’s proposals are part of a larger discourse that covers shifts in copyright and competition policy to reflect the changes that are being caused by the digitasation of content and distribution.
Issues such as geographical segmentation have caused a consumer backlash as seen by the escalating use of illegal streaming by Australians.

The report also supported the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) views that the reality of consumers bypassing geoblocks has led to a reduction in prices and forced the hand of local broadcasters, studios and retailers to release content at the same time as overseas markets.
{loadads} Professor Ian Harper, Chair of the Review, said the Draft Report recommendations seek to bring Australia’s competition policy up to date.

“Australia’s competition policy needs to be fit for purpose, and updated for the economic opportunities and challenges Australia will face in coming decades. We face forces for change from increased globalisation, population ageing and new technologies, which are rapidly changing the way our markets operate,” he said.

The Panel’s assessment drew on nearly 350 submissions and close to 100 consultation meetings with a wide range of stakeholders.

The report’s findings suggest that the Copyright Act that no longer works for many Australians and pushes for a new way to fix copyright that balances the interests of all stakeholders.

Foxtel has rejected the recommendations and warned any such move would likely result in job losses and reduced levels of investment.

A Foxtel spokesperson told media that actively encouraging Australians to bypass geoblocks would threaten Foxtel’s business and undermine the subscription TV providers capacity to invest in Australian programs and new technology.

Local broadcasters are already under pressure looking for ways to fend off the set up of Netflix and other international streaming providers locally.

The Competition Policy Review Panel Draft Report is open for consultation until 17 November, with a final report to be submitted to the government in March next year. The Panel will also be holding public forums around the country.