If you want to avoid cable in your overseas travels, you may be happy to know that there is now a new option. Within the EU, streaming services are now possible without restrictions as of April 1st, 2018. This means that no additional fees are required to watch Sky TV even when on vacation or traveling abroad.
Which costs occur for using the service outside of the EU?
Sky Go to the same conditions as in the home country and without additional cost!
The basis for this new rule is a new EU regulation (EU portability regulation). It applies to all subscriptions of providers with so-called online content. This includes films, sport events, books or video games. Netflix and Spotify are among the services affected by the EU portability regulation.
Now that geoblocking is no longer necessary to use Sky in other countries, it is no longer necessary.
Prior to 2018, the use of streaming service prevented users from accessing it. This was due to legal reasons. Consequently, the copyright only applied to works within the territory of a specific country. Up until this point, Sky had not been granted the necessary licenses to offer their streaming services outside of Germany.
Dies ist allerdings sehr aufwendig und kann bei manchen Kunden Probleme bereiten.
Therefore, Sky customers had to until now take another path. To deactivate the live stream, one had to have an IP address from the country where the subscription was issued. Although there were ways to disable geoblocking, this option is still possible by setting up a VPN like "Hide My Ass" on one's computer and providing a certain IP address from a predetermined country. This is, however, very difficult and may cause problems for some customers.
Sky Go customers no longer have to go through this process, although technically it is still possible. The EU has based its decision on the fact that the offer will be available in both home countries and in EU expatriate communities equally from now on. This means that customers can enjoy their usual service when travelling either for work or pleasure. There cannot be any increase in subscription fees.
How can I use Sky Go outside of the UK?
Sky Go is a browser-based service that can be used on laptops, PCs, and smart TVs. In addition, mobile devices are compatible. The user interface is designed for smartphones and tablets, and the app is available for iOS and Android systems in the app stores. It is free to download.
What are the new rights for the period?
The rule affects overseas trips of a limited duration. These include vacation or travel, but also foreign study sessions and similar travels as long as they do not exceed a duration of several weeks.
Anders looks at it from a permanent residence situation. If you relocate your residence to a foreign country, you are no longer allowed to access the Sky Germany offers. This is possible only if Sky Go is also offered in the new country, in which you subsequently reside.
The providers are entitled to check your residence. If it is revealed that you continue to live in Germany, the use of the foreign country for temporary use is okay. To check this, the providers can use data from your telephone bill, your tax return, your ID card, or even your IP address.
