IP Address does not match my Geographical location

[NotInLondon]

Since a couple of weeks ago, my IP address is displaying as my location as "London, ON", whereas I am physically located outside of Ottawa, ON.  While the internet itself is fine, this 600 km difference seems to mean that I am not getting the desired sports coverage as a result of regional coverage... the wrong blackout information is being applied.

Note that I don't have or have never used any kind of IP manipulating software/VPN... I am getting this information from lookup sites like "whatismyip", etc.  

Is this something that is within my ability to change?  Without having to 'trick' sites to believing my IP is something else?  No shenanigans; just want it to be accurate so I can get my regular sports back (which has been fine since moving here, about 2 years ago)...

Any suggestions are appreciated! 

[Vanadiel]

I use Netflix and Google services, and last week when I checked my Geo address was different than it is today.

Never had an issue with either services.

The only way you will have an issue is with any services that block by regions, like Sportsnet and a few others.

[Vanadiel]

Yes, that would be an issue. but I would point a finger at the NHL and a few others, who insist on blocking by regions for a service you actually pay for.

That is just my opinion.

[Vanadiel]

That can be a good or a bad thing, pending on how you look at it. I personally don't like the idea of geolocation, as it reveals my actual location. I rather have it point somewhere else.

[NotInLondon]

Original poster here.  Discouraging that 18 months later, this seems to continue to be an issue.  

I am now at the stage where I can consider moving back to Bell, as a result of Fiber infrastructure now being available in our rural location... However it is concerning that this issue seems to persist and that the newer technology doesn't seem to have improved with respect to Geo-location.

Has anyone, in particular the posters who have had Bell request further review, had this issue resolved reliably?

[Vanadiel]

I don't think this system can truly be resolved as the Geo IP system is in my opinion not the best protocol.

[Drew_in_Barrhaven]

TSN has whitelisted my IP address and that seems to have solved the problem for the time being. The only problem is that Bell does not assign static IPs so if my modem happens to reboot and picks up a new IP address I'll likely be right back at square one. 

[PammieD]

How did you connect with sportsnet? We're they able to help connect for a while?

[Drew_in_Barrhaven · Accepted solution]

I kept badgering TSN until they finally escalated my request to someone who finally found this solution. 

[DWC1990]

I am in Ottawa and seem to have regional restrictions when watching sports because it thinks we live in the Toronto area. I have fiber internet. Also an issue when ordering products as it thinks we’re Mississauga based. I’ve called technical support in the past and they recommended resetting the modem which did not work. How do we correct this? My son loves the Senators and it’s becoming an issue that we can’t watch the games. Thanks in advance. 

[Drew_in_Barrhaven]

Well that didn't last long. My modem picked up a new IP address after what looks like a firmware update. I'm being blocked again. I'm on the phone with TSN right now to give them my new IP, but this is going to get old really fast if I have to keep doing this after every IP address change. 

[BellPatricia · Accepted solution]

Good evening @DWC1990 

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community 🙂

We wanted to check in and see if you were able to reach out to TSN directly. They will be able to gather some additional information from you and help fix that up.

Also, are you using a VPN?

Please keep the Community posted,

@BellPatricia 

[bob_3999]

Just circling back to let others in this thread know that my issue was fixed by Bell. 
@BellPatricia somehow got them to fix my IP address, which now shows my actual location, which allows me to watch the appropriate TSN channels. Thanks @BellPatricia!

[gaby31]

My ip address is listed as Sudbury.  I live in Orillia.  I am not able to watch hockey games, where I have a paid subscription.  Sportsnet app is saying due to regional restrictions, the game is blacked out.  It should not be.  If my Ip address matched my location, these games would not be blacked out.  This was never a problem when I had rogers internet.  This year I switched to Bell because they had a good deal on and now I'm regretting it.  I called Bell and they were not helpful. They said they cannot change my Ip address...so what do I do?  I guess I wasted 250 bucks on a sportsnet subscription because I can't watch any of my games anymore.   This is ridiculous.  How do I get the Ip changed?

[dks]

Thank you for your question. I appreciate your frustration. You could try unplugging your Giga Hub for 30 seconds, forcing a new connection and a new IP. However, there is no guarantee that your IP will either change or be distributed from another location. In fact, it's unlikely, but worth a try.

Regional game blackouts are not set by Bell, however. They are part of the contract the NHL and the team owners have with each broadcaster and are set by the NHL. I can't comment on what other broadcasters provide. Your concern might be best directed to Sportsnet (not owned by Bell) and the NHL directly. 

A good summary of the backout question is outlined here .

[BellPatricia]

Hey there @gaby31 

Welcome to the Bell Community.

Have you reached out to Sportsnet directly so that they can take a closer look and help fix that up for you?

Keep the Community posted,

@BellPatricia