1. Free VPN Services

One method to access BBC iPlayer from the outside UK is to use a VPN service that provides UK IP addresses. Unfortunately, there are not many UK VPN services that are free. One of them is TheFreeVPN [No longer available]. You could also get a free UK VPN from HideIpVPN.

2. Commercial VPN Services

There are plenty of commercial UK VPN services that will enable BBC iPlayer in every corner of the world. Here are several that I have tried and that offer good speed and reasonable prices:

• HideMyAss – from $11.32/month
• NordVPN – from $11.95/month
• ibVPN – $4.95/month

3. Using Tor

Another option is by using Tor. The advantage of this option is that it is free, the disadvantage that you can never be sure what you get. It might work or not.

Here is a complete tutorial on how to watch Formula One live online using Tor [via HubPages.com]:

1. Download and install the latest version of Firefox.

2. Open Firefox, use Firefox to visit and install the Flash plugin for Firefox.

3. Visit the Tor Project.

4. Download and install the “Installation Bundle,” which includes Tor, Privoxy, Vidalia, and Firefox Plugin. (Direct download.)

5. Restart Firefox, you should now see a Tor Disabled in red at the bottom right corner of Firefox.

6. Open the Tor config file by clicking: Start Button -> Programs -> Vidalia Bundle -> Tor -> Torrc

7. Once the Torrc text file is opened, add the following at the end of the file:

StrictExitNodes 1
ExitNodes {gb}

8. Save the file then close it.

9. Start (or close it and restart if it’s already running) the Vidalia program at Start Button -> Programs -> Vidalia Bundle -> Vidalia, look at the onion icon near your clock, wait for the icon to switch from yellow to green.

10. Go back to Firefox, right click on the Tor Disabled text located at the bottom right corner of Firefox, then click Preferences.

11. A window name Torbutton Preferences will pop up, click on the Security Settings tab

12. Untick the Disable plugins during Tor usage box (You need this unticked to use Flash under Tor).

13. Next, click OK to close the Torbutton Preferences window.

14. Click once on the Tor Disabled text at the bottom right corner of Firefox; it will turn green and become Tor Enabled.

15. At this point, all the connections you make in Firefox will go through the tor network. (and automatically uses a UK IP as the last exit point because that’s what you put in the config earlier)

16. Finally, visit BBC’s iPlayer site and enjoy the show.

Important Notes:

Your connection will be much slower than usual.  If it lags way too much (over 20 seconds) or it shows errors when browsing through Tor, that means you’re on a slow or broken circuit; you can switch to another circuit by:
1. Double click on the onion icon near your clock.
2. The “Vidalia Control Panel” pops up, click the Use a New Identity button.
3. Visit the BBC iPlayer site again.
4. Repeat the above if necessary.

Do you know other methods to unblock BBC iPlayer and watch Formula One live online?

HideIPVPN hides your IP address (using VPN technology) and exposes UK or US IP addresses instead of your real one. This allows you to unblock a lost of restricted sites and protect your online privacy.

HideIPVPN Features

HideIpVPN main features:

• No logs are kept.
• It provides high-speed internet connection
• Encrypts and compresses all traffic including Email, IRC, FTP, DNS, VOIP, instant messengers.
• Bypasses your ISP’s traffic shaping.
• Hides your tracks from internet monitoring or web filtering apps like Websense, Barracuda, etc.
• Your IP is hidden while using HideIPVPN.com.
• Works on Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac, Linux, etc.
• Easy to install and use.

Why is HideIPVPN special?

• It is, as far as I know, the only  free VPN service that offers both UK and UK IPs
• Unblocks Hulu (I just checked) and other restricted US sites
• Unblocks BBC iPlayer (also checked) and other restricted UK sites

How to start using HideIPVPN free?

In order to get your IP hidden with HideIPVPN you need to create an account. Go to the free VPN page and access the link to the account creation page.

The setup is very simple as the VPN services use PPTP protocol. To see how to do it for your operating system go to Howto/Setup page.

Premium HideIPVPN

For those that need more security, HideIpVPN offers a premium service:

• Offers complete privacy and anonymity by using OpenVPN (more secure and stable than PPTP)
• Anonymous US and UK IP addresses!

In order to maintain the quality of their service, the number of both free and premium accounts is limited. So, hurry up, to get your US/UK VPN account!

Super Premium VPN Package

HideIpVPN proposes the Super Premium Package with 20 servers located in United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands, all allowing PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN and Proxy connections. It’s an excellent choice for those interested in different connection options and wants to use servers from a different location.

HideIpVPN P2P/Torrent VPN Package

Another new package is the one that allows P2P/Torrent connections with servers located in the Netherlands. This is for those looking for more anonymity downloading from torrents.

How can you benefit from a HideIPVPN German VPN?

Firstly, you may secure you Internet while traveling in Germany. Consider the case of free WiFi hotspots from airports. Surely, you don’t want to connect to such a free hotspot without the protection of a VPN. By connecting to a server located in Germany you will get acceptable Internet speed.

Secondly, you can access German restricted content. With such a VPN you can watch Das Erste, DSF, KI.KA, 3sat, ARTE, NDR (with regional options) and even Zattoo Germany with 94 Live FREE Streaming Television and Radio Channels.

Zattoo.com/de has developed a software program that allows you to watch TV on your computer. The service is legal and free of charge.

With their German version, Zattoo offers 94 live FREE streaming television and radio channels; these include Das Erste, DSF, KI.KA, 3sat, ARTE, NDR (with regional options), WDR (with regional options), MDR (with regional options), Bayerisches Fernsehen, SWR, RBB, SR, Phoenix, Das Vierte, DMAX, BR Alpha, EinsPlus, EinsExtra, EinsFestival, ZDF, TV Gusto, LUXE.TV, TIMM and many more.

Thirdly, you may protect your downloads while accessing torrents. When you connect to a VPN all your Internet traffic is encrypted and your IP address is hidden. If you are located in Germany you should consider using a German VPN while downloading torrents.

>> HideIPVPN