Information for Viasat customers

Introduction

Most of REC Networks’ web-based services are provided by servers operated by Digital Ocean.  REC has been using Digital Ocean services for over a decade now. 

We have been made aware that customers of Viasat satellite internet services for home and small businesses have not been able to access the legal content that is provided by REC on all of our Digital Ocean hosted servers. 

Viasat blocking REC web services

Viasat has made the decision to arbitrarily block Digital Ocean IP addresses at the /24 level.  Their justification is to prevent malware and other nefarious activity from going over their network.  While this is a valid justification for the blocking traffic of illegal internet content, their method of blocking at the /24 level is highly controversial.  As a result of this blocking, 256 IP addresses (customers) are blocked due to the actions of one. 

While we do understand that Viasat wishes to protect their network, their arbitrary blocking of legal internet traffic, such as those operated by REC, do their customers a disservice and can be seen as a violation of network neutrality laws in certain U.S. states. 

REC calls on Viasat to immediately whitelist all of our domains and related IP addresses as our sites are not responsible for malware and are otherwise considered “legal web traffic”.  Viasat is welcome to contact REC so we can provide them with details about our network services so they can be rightfully whitelisted.

Why doesn’t REC change providers?

Our systems are very well embedded and have been operating without much serious issue on the Digital Ocean platform for over a decade.  If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.  Traffic from Viasat would likely only account for a small percentage of REC’s overall site demand. 

While we are currently considering a change in providers, we do note that such a migration would be massively time consuming and as a one person operation, it would result in a massive amount of resource time being dedicated to such a project as it would involve some major rewriting of virtually every application that REC currently provides.  The ability to “outsource” the transition to a different provider would be very expensive and may not result in a proper product due to the extensive level of broadcast regulation and engineering required to maintain the REC web services.

How does “network neutrality” play into this?

Before the regulations were repealed in the Ajit Pai administration, the federal network neutrality regulations specifically restricted internet service providers (ISPs) from selectively blocking any “legal” web traffic.  ISPs were allowed to block “illegal” web traffic in order to assure that their networks remained secure.  We consider Viasat’s arbitrary /24 blocking of 256 IP addresses in order to address one or more illegal traffic providers as site blocking, which would have otherwise been addressed by the prior federal regulations to be discriminatory and in some states, illegal by state law.

We do note that some states do have network neutrality laws which are styled similar to the former federal regulation.  Those laws exist in the following states:

In general, these laws state that it shall be unlawful for an internet service provider, insofar as the provider is engaged in providing broadband Internet service, to engaged in any of the following activities: (1) blocking lawful content, applications, services or nonharmful services, subject to reasonable network management; (2) Imparing or degrading lawful Internet traffic on the basis of Internet content, application or service, or use of a nonharmful device, subject to reasonable network management; [remaining items are not relevant to the issue at hand].

What can Viasat customers do?

As a Viasat customer, you are paying a considerable amount of money in order to receive Internet access services, usually at a premium because of the nature of satellite-based Internet services.  You deserve to have access to all legal content and services available without interference from an ISP.

Contact Viasat

Viasat customers who are blocked from REC services are highly encouraged to contact Viasat at 1 855 810-1308 and demand that they unblock our legal web services.  You may also express your desire to have Viasat remove their arbitrary and discriminatory blocking of REC services by putting in a trouble ticket.

Try using a VPN and an alternate domain name server (DNS)

Viasat claims that many, but not all VPNs will work with their satellite service, but you may experience reduced performance.  Reduced performance is better than no performance, especially considering that our sites are not bandwidth hogs.  REC does not endorse any specific VPN provider, but it may be an option to look at, especially if they offer a free trial.

If you use a VPN, unless the VPN provider has a different arrangement, specify a DNS outside of Viasat, such as the Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). 

Consider a different provider

We totally understand that many customers of satellite Internet services are well outside of the footprint of terrestrially based services such as cable, DSL or fiber.  Many may also be outside of the service areas of wireless providers.  It may also be possible that at the time when you signed up for Viasat (or Exede), there were no other terrestrial providers available.  This may be a good opportunity to look to see if any other providers have entered the market.  The FCC National Broadband Map may be a good source to find out who serves your area.

We also understand that due to the very nature of satellite Internet service, customers may have had to make a considerable up-front investment in equipment and likewise may be reluctant to change providers.

We also note that REC has not received any complaints regarding access from competing satellite providers such as HughesNet and SpaceX Starlink. 

Access REC through a mobile device or mobile hotspot

In areas where there is sufficient 4G or 5G coverage, many REC services are “mobile friendly” or “mobile tolerant”.  REC sites such as FCCdata and FCC.today have presentations that are specifically designed for small screen mobile devices.  If using a tablet or other large screen device, REC services are best experienced by switching the browser to “desktop mode”. 

You may also be able to set up a mobile hotspot to access REC services on your desktop or laptop computer through the mobile network thus bypassing Viasat. 

Filing a complaint with the FCC

While this is likely to go nowhere, especially since the specific net neutrality regulations have been repealed in the Pai administration, it does not hurt to file a complaint with the FCC.  You can start a complaint by going to consumercomplaints.fcc.gov and select Internet Complaints.  For the issue, select “Availability” and the sub-issue of “Other”.  Explain that Viasat is blocking legal web traffic and provide the URLs at REC that you are trying to reach.

Even though the FCC cannot take any specific action, the complaint will be on record at the agency as the Commission is considering reinstating the national network neutrality regulations.

Filing a consumer complaint with the state

At this time, only California and Washington states have active state-level network neutrality laws. 

California residents can file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General at the following URL:
https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company

Washington state residents can file a complaint with their state’s Office of the Attorney General at the following URL:
https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ComplaintForm.aspx

Encourage the enactment of nationwide network neutrality regulations or laws

If you have been blocked from using REC services just because you are a Viasat customer, you have first-hand experienced why these laws are necessary to assure a fair and open internet where any lawful service can openly compete and be available without any discrimination or presumption of guilt based solely on choice of hosting provider. 

Contact your federal elected officials and tell them that you support efforts for a fair and open internet.  Also, if/when a new rulemaking comes before the FCC, get involved.  Make your voice heard.