So people talking about encryption is b0110cks, what they do is stand up new front servers allow them to be blocked then switch on EPL day to a fresh unblocked IP using a reverse proxy, then switch back or switch servers every week.
I have difficulties understanding this. Perhaps you can explain?
Say your iptv provider gives you an m3u file, so it has the domain name and port number etc. of the server where you can get the streams. If the big 5 ISPs have set their target to "block" (e.g. by setting their DNS servers to point these domain names, or their IP addresses, to a bit bucket) at 3pm, how can any reverse proxy set up before or after 3pm help you access the stream, given your m3u file remains the same and points to exactly the same domain names/IP addresses (that have been blocked by the ISP)?
I am only guessing, but since some huge IPTV names have been distinctly unsuccessful in getting their service "unblocked", and have to either bow out and / or insisting users to use vpn for access, I wonder if there really is a "technical" (as opposed to tactical) solution to unblock at source (as opposed to unblocking at point of use, e.g. by punters using vpn), without changing servers/IPs and communicate such to users (unless of course what is being blocked is just between providers, then changing servers/IPs should not affect users, but that is a separate issue altogether and has little to do with the OP)?
It seems to me another way an IPTV provider can escape being blocked is by tactically going under the radar of FAPL/UEFA/F1. This can be done by e.g. taking advantage of the loopholes created by the court orders. For example, an ISP is not allowed to block a server if they are aware that streaming offending streams is not the primary function of the server. In particular, the court order states: "First, FAPL and its contractor must reasonably believe that the server has the sole or predominant purpose of enabling or facilitating access to infringing streams of Premier League match footage. Secondly, FAPL and its contractor must not know or have reason to believe that the server is being used for any other substantial purpose." What that means, is a small provider hiding amongst other utility can escape getting blocked.
Finally, I wonder if anybody who has been using a secondary vpn router to bypass an ISP block (that would otherwise have delivered a dark screen) tried specifying e.g. Google's 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4 as the primary / secondary DNS server addresses within the vpn router, and then turned vpn off at 3pm? Does it still work? I am asking because: a) I can't test it because I neither use IPTV nor watch football, and b) it works fine for accessing domain names (e.g. thepiratebay.org) banned by other UK court orders. The reason I ask, is, if it works, then that would be a solution to circumvent vpn slowing down streams, which is relevant for less powerful client machines/routers.
One question I have is that last night all my EPL, sports and even general IPTV channels went blank even with my VPN on. When I contacted my provider he said that that they got hit with EPL block that hit their main server which took out all channels. They then need to request new IP address. Can you explain what most likely happened here and why my VPN didn't circumnavigate the block. My VPN has done this business every weekend for the past couple of months and over Christmas too.
A possible reason why your vpn could not circumvent "the block", is the issue was between your provider and his provider or similarly someone further up the chain. Imho, unless you have e.g. a dns leak in your setup, there is no way your ISP can block you accessing a fully functional server when you have a fully functional vpn.
Cheers!
