Let’s say for a moment that you live in beautiful Ottawa, Ontario. It’s the fourth largest city in Canada and a beautiful tourist destination. Well, at least if you visit during the summer months. There’s one problem with Ottawa, though: you can’t get DIRECTV service there. Well, you can, but you can’t. Let’s explain.
The technical side of things
We know that it’s very possible to pick up DIRECTV service in Canada. DIRECTV has focused its satellite signal fairly precisely, but there’s still enough overlap that almost every Canadian citizen has a clear view of the satellites. Take a look at this map:
Every person living within the yellow line has a fair chance of getting DIRECTV service and as you can see, that includes people in Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The strongest signals are within the whitish area that encompasses the American South. If you extrapolate out, you’ll realize that people in much of the Caribbean get better reception than people in Alaska and Hawaii! So why can’t we offer you DIRECTV service or equipment there? It’s simple: The other countries won’t let us.
International broadcast law isn’t always interesting, except when it is
Each country has the right to legislate radio and television broadcasting. In the US, it’s the FCC that regulates it; in Canada it’s the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CTRC.) In order to offer service in any other country, DIRECTV must set up contracts and live by the rules set by those countries, and usually those rules say that they must offer local channels, and that the equipment can’t be used to pick up signals from other countries. That’s the case in Canada, for sure.
There’s even more to it. Every country has the right to regulate what electronic devices are used within that country. Some smaller countries rely on big ones to test for safety, which is why you can take equipment with the FCC or CE logo to many places without fear. However, Canada does its own electronic certification. And simply put, DIRECTV receivers aren’t certified there. Neither is a lot of other stuff, but if you’re a tourist they won’t bother you that much about it. They are really only interested in the people who operate unlicensed stuff for a long time.
It’s not us, it’s them
A lot of people are under the impression that US law is holding us back from selling to other countries, when it’s actually the laws of those other countries that are the problem. DIRECTV is a good corporate citizen and they don’t want trouble, so they say absolutely not– no DIRECTV equipment can leave the country. That’s their rule.
That’s why we won’t send DIRECTV equipment to you in other countries, and why, if you come to pick up your order at our Novi, Michigan location, we reserve the right to ask for US identification from you. We’re not trying to be the bad guy here, but rules are rules.
On the other hand, if you want the best in satellite TV equipment for US use, shop at Solid Signal! If you have questions, we’re here for it! Call us at 888-233-7563 or fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
