Rather than learn the fate of Jon Snow via Foxtel, Yournet will make it easier for Australians to sneak into US-only HBO Now. Unlike a foreign-based VPN, Yournet's 'Global Mode' service will still allow access to Australian catch up TV services like ABC iView as well as Australian subscription video services which are geo-blocked overseas. Customers will be able to adjust their geo-dodging preferences via the Yournet website in order to access Netflix in different countries. Yournet does not support watching Netflix from different regions on different devices at the same time. While the Australian government is cracking down on access to piracy websites, more needs to be done to offer consumers a better deal on content, Bhuva says. "Piracy is a major problem and our stance is that we're an anti-piracy ISP, we want people to pay for content. Which means having the option to pay for content and at the moment the only options are either paying excessive prices or illegally downloading something," he says. "Obviously the content creators and providers are missing out on revenue due to piracy. We're saying this is the solution to the problem; let people pay for the content that they want to watch, delivered in a reasonable timeframe."

Yournet has licensed its Global Mode technology from New Zealand's Bypass Network Services. Bhuva is not deterred by the fact that New Zealand internet service provider CallPlus has scrapped plans to offer Global Mode after a joint legal challenge from broadcasters Television New Zealand and Mediaworks, pay TV provider Sky Television and streaming video service Lightbox. Yournet has legal advice that its geo-dodging features are legal under Australian law, Bhuva says, and he cites comments from Australian Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, that bypassing geo-blocking is not a breach of copyright law. "From our perspective Australian Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has said the use of this type of technology to bypass geo-blocking is perfectly okay," Bhuva says. "In New Zealand they didn't actually get to the point where they proved or disproved anything, the ISP settled out of court and that was the end of it. It was a bit of a shame really because it didn't clear anything up. The law with regards to geo-blocking is a bit of grey area over there, but not so much here in Australia we don't believe." Yournet is not the first Australian internet service provider to consider offering free geo-dodging services to its customers. Internode previously contemplated offering similar features but decided against it. While Internode went as far as drawing up network design plans, it was decided that such a service would be difficult to sustain and would draw unwanted attention, according to Internode founder Simon Hackett.

Consumer advocacy group CHOICE Australia welcomes new services like Yournet designed to help consumers bypass geo-blocking in search of a better deal, says CHOICE campaigns manager Erin Turner. "Consumers who pay for technical solutions like VPNs are going out of their way to pay for the content they love through legitimate services based overseas. Rights holders in Australia may object but it's time for them to adjust their business model to meet consumer demands in the digital age," Turner says. "It's possible that we'll see a legal challenge against Yournet, similar to the actions against Global Mode services in New Zealand. CHOICE remains concerned that the recently passed Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2015 will allow Australian rights holders to block access to online tools that allow consumers to access geo-blocked services. This isn't an anti-piracy measure, it's an anti-consumer measure that could see some of Australia's biggest companies block access to their international competitors." With Yournet still weeks away from launching in Australia, some local content providers and rights holders are reluctant to take aim at the new service. The Australian Screen Association, which represents the local film and television content/distribution industry and lobbied for Australia's piracy crackdown, declined to comment on the implications of Yournet's Global Mode for the local industry. Likewise subscription video service Stan, co-owned by the Nine Network and Fairfax Media (publisher of this website) also declined to comment.

Meanwhile pay TV giant Foxtel, which potentially has the most to lose from geo-dodging services like Yournet, is still considering its position. "Foxtel has only just become aware of this proposed service," says a Foxtel spokesperson. "We are considering the implications for our business and will take appropriate action in response." More forthcoming is Stephen Langsford, founder and CEO of Australian subscription video pioneer Quickflix. Having fought competition from Netflix long before it launched in Australia, and criticised the US video giant for not doing more to keep out geo-dodgers, Langsford is disappointed that Yournet has chosen to undermine geo-blocking rather than support Australian video services. "I'm surprised with their plans for Australia given what transpired in New Zealand," Langsford says. "Instead of encouraging bypassing of Australian right holders, why not get behind legitimate Australian services who are investing in Australia? Support them so they can become even better, and so they can continue to reinvest in the Australian creative industry and innovation."