Here’s another questions that comes from you, our satellite-loving public. A YouTuber who saw my review video for the Gemini asked if they could take it with them on a trip to Canada. At least that’s what they were asking, although I think the real question was a little different. Why? Let’s take a deeper dive
Can you use DIRECTV at all in Canada?
The official answer is “no, you are not allowed to.” The DIRECTV satellite service is only available to US customers. You must have a valid US address to even activate the service. Canada has its own satellite providers and has not certified any US DIRECTV equipment for use in Canada.
But let’s say you were within 50 miles of the US border, as a lot of Canadians are. Let’s say you somehow managed to get the equipment you needed, and let’s say you had an address in the US you could use for activation. Technically, you could do it. Satellite signals can be focused so they cover specific areas, but it’s not possible to make a signal that stops right at the border. In order for it to be strong enough for the people of Buffalo, NY (for example) the signal has to bleed into Quebec by about 50 miles.
If you did manage to get the service active, you’d be breaking Canadian law, and be guilty of fraud in the US as well. Now, I’m not saying that the RCMP or the FBI would try to hunt you down, but officially speaking it’s against the law. What you do with that information is up to you.
And so what about Gemini?
The DIRECTV Gemini is a combination of a Genie client and a streaming box. It does both, and does both very well. It will display satellite TV received through a Genie DVR, and with one push of one button, it becomes a capable Android TV box. There’s no changing of inputs or difference in the way it works. You don’t have to learn a second remote. Everything just works.
However, like all streaming boxes, it does need to be connected to the internet. Like all satellite equipment, it needs a satellite signal to function. Because of DIRECTV’s SignalSaver technology, it will stream without a satellite signal for a short period, but it can’t be used like that indefinitely.
Because the Gemini is connected to the internet, it knows where you are. And, of course, there’s the problem. If you’re in Canada, it will know, and it won’t work.
What about using a VPN?
My guess is that if you used a VPN service to make it look like you were in the US, you’d be able to use the whole thing. I haven’t tested it, because honestly I’m not in Canada. The VPN would have to report that you were in the same area as your billing address or that would raise a red flag, too.
I’m guessing that at some point, the fact that you’re using a VPN would become obvious to the folks at DIRECTV and they would shut you down. Sooner or later, those fancy folks in the legal department with their fancy suits always figure things out. You can count on it.
So then what are the options?
There are options for people in Canada. As a US dealer, we can’t help with all of them, but if you’re interested in legal alternatives to stealing international satellite signals, call us! We promise we won’t tell on you if you’re doing something out of the ordinary, and we’ll let you know what the options are if you want to move back into the light.
Call us at 888-233-7563. We’re here during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, just fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you, no matter what country you’re in!
