Free To Air Satellite Systems

Is it legal?

We often get the question, is Free To Air (FTA) Satellite legal in Canada?

We hope to explain what makes our satellite systems legal to enjoy in Canada. While we aren't lawyers, and we can't give you legal advice, the answer is clearly YES. There is some called the Radio communications Act of Canada. This is the act which controls your ability purchase or watch certain satellite content not provided within Canada. As an FTA receiver has no ability to decrypt any stations, and is only able to receive content which providers want Canadians to see at no charge, these receivers are unable, when used properly, to break any laws of The Radio communications Act.

Remember, using an FTA receiver is no different than plugging an antenna into your TV. You'll only be able to receive the programming others want you to receive for free. You cannot watch any subscription programming with an FTA receiver.

What isn't legal?

The following services, among others not listed, apart from unencrypted preview and music channels, are not legal for either subscription or decoding:

– DirecTV / Dishnetwork / American CI based subscription services

Watching Bell Express Vu, Dishnetwork, DirecTV, Globecast or any other paid programming on Free to Air is NOT legal.  Simple Answer: If you want to watch Premium TV for FREE, you are doing something illegal.

It is illegal to use a FTA receiver, or any other device, for the purpose of receiving and decrypting any portion of our encrypted programming signals. Bell ExpressVu does not consent to or authorize the use of any FTA receiver or device to receive and decrypt its service for any purpose, including testing. It is also illegal to receive DishNetwork programming in Canada as they do not have lawful right to broadcast here.

Hacking any of these services expressly violates section 9.(1)(c) and 9.(1)(d) of the Radio communications Act, which carries a hefty punishment:

9.

(1) No person shall ...

(c) decode an encrypted subscription programming signal or encrypted network feed otherwise than under and in accordance with an authorization from the lawful distributor of the signal or feed;

(d) operate a radio apparatus so as to receive an encrypted subscription programming signal or encrypted network feed that has been decoded in contravention of paragraph (c); ...

10. (2.1)

Every person who contravenes paragraph 9(1)(c) or (d) is guilty of an offense punishable on summary conviction and is liable, in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both, or, in the case of a corporation, to a fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars.

Are CI based receivers legal?

A CI receiver without a CI card acts as an FTA receiver. In this manner, it is impossible to pick up anything which an FTA receiver is unable to receive. A CI receiver fitted with a CI compatible card subscribed to a legitimate Canadian satellite service provider is also legal.

When used in this manner, a CI receiver is absolutely legal. We often recommend a user purchase a CI receiver over an FTA receiver if they are wondering if their favorite programs will always be available without a subscription. This way, should the programming be available for sale legally to Canadians in the future, the customer will be prepared.

Understanding FTA! What does Free to Air mean?

Free to Air means any station that is provided with the intention of you receiving it for free. All these stations are broadcast without encryption and can be received with any Free to Air (FTA) equipment.

What types of programming can I receive using an FTA receiver?

You can receive many different kinds of programming in many languages; the majority of programming in English consists of religious and educational networks, and also the occasional feed from major networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX.

What satellites can I receive using FTA?

You can receive ANY satellite at all using an FTA receiver! You simply need to discover what stations are being broadcast that you are intended to receive for free.  Click here to find out which channels you can easily get for Free. 

What equipment do I need?

You will need a Free to Air compatible receiver (Such as Pansat, Fortec, Coolsat, DGStation, Mutant, etc...) along with the appropriate dish and LNBF for the satellite you are interested in receiving.

Where can I get more information about what is available on FTA?

Check out the following websites: www.lyngsat.com, www.satcodx.com.

If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and I will be glad to answer more of your questions.

What Can I NOT ask you?

Please respect us by NOT asking about the following:

• Dishnetwork programming + hacks
• Bell Express VU hacks
• DirecTV hacks
• Smart locks, ROM cards
• Programming cards, ROM 102, 103
• Nagra Questions
• Rogers Hacks
• Pirated Software
• Any websites for hacks/bins/files
• Latest status on Keys/hacks/bins/flashes
• Anything to do with getting you FREE illegal TV

Please note that we are only hardware sellers, we do not manufacturer any of these free to air boxes.  We do not provide any support for anything 3rd party software such as bins/hacks/etc.
Please contact the manufacturer of the free to air to direct any programming questions.

Yours Truly,

David Shepherd
Director
Beam On Systems Solutions Inc
info@beamon.ca

FTA SATELLITE RECEIVER DISCLAIMER

Please note that our free to air receivers are sold to you with FACTORY loaded free to air software/flash/bins. This will allow you to pickup only unencrypted free to air (FTA) channels. We DOT NOT load them with any illegal software/flash/bins to receive any encrypted channels.  We can only support free to air programming. Any modifications of our receivers will void your warranty. Free to air receivers do have the ability to be flashed/programmed/upgraded using the RS232 cable, however, we WILL NOT support any thing third party software. Please contact the receiver manufacturer and direct all upgrading questions to them.

Warranty Note: When you buy any satellite receiver from us, your receiver will be sold to you with the latest software and firmware available at the time when the unit is manufactured. Beam On Systems Solutions, Inc. does not support third-party software, and if used, it will void the manufacturer's warranty.  Please note that receiver software is incompatible across various models. If you upload the wrong software and create a problem with the receiver, this will not only void your warranty but may make your receiver inoperable. File transfer errors are entirely the user’s responsibility and Beam On Systems Solutions, Inc. is not responsible for any problems that may result.

Only official software and upgrades available from the manufacturer can be used with your receiver. Under no circumstances, should any other software be used with the receivers that we carry.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Beam On Systems Solutions, Inc. is not responsible to anyone for any loss or damage occasioned by, or arising out of the improper or illegal use of products sold by Beam On Systems Solutions, Inc.. In no event whatsoever, shall Beam On Systems Solutions, Inc. be liable for any form of indirect, special, incidental, exemplary, or consequential damages, including, but not being limited to, any loss of profits or loss of business, as a result of any breach of the terms hereof by the User/Buyer or any third party.

FTA Channel List