Circumventing region-locks for video content is nothing new, but it can still be a hassle. Fortunately things are getting better, and UnoTelly is one such service that makes it painless to access whatever geo-restricted content you want, wherever you want.

Today, we'll be taking a look at the UnoTelly Gold plan [Broken URL Removed], which will set you back $7.95 per month and provides unlimited access to hassle-free DNS tunneling and secure VPN connections for avoiding censorship, geo-restrictions and potential snoopers.

This is a huge giveaway! The following prizes are up for grabs:

Grand Prize:

  • 1 x UnoTelly Gold License (1 year)
  • 1 x Samsung UN40JU6500 40" Class 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV ($849.99 value)
  • 1 x Roku 3 HD 1080p Streaming Digital Media Player ($89.99 value)
  • 1 x Netflix $100 gift card

Secondary Prizes:

  • 4 x UnoTelly Gold Licenses (1 year)
  • 4 x Netflix $60 gift cards

Consolation prizes:

  • 10 x UnoTelly Gold Licenses (1 year)

UnoDNS & UnoVPN

There are two commonly-employed methods for getting around the geographical restrictions put in place by services like Hulu, Netflix and BBC iPlayer: domain name system tunnelling and the use of a virtual private network.

The domain name system works just like a phone book. When you request a website by typing in its domain, it resolves as an IP, and your own IP is recorded along with your visit and used to identify your location. By changing your DNS servers, UnoTelly can provide you with a local IP every time you try to access geo-restricted content — that's UnoDNS [Broken URL Removed].

A virtual private network also works using tunnelling, by inviting you to connect to a secure network and providing the "exit" in a particular region — e.g. the UK for access to the BBC, or the US to listen to Pandora. While a DNS-based system doesn't require too much work on your part, you'll need to switch from one VPN to another depending on the region-locked content you want to access — that's UnoVPN.

So which is better? Well with UnoTelly's gold account you don't really need to decide, because you'll have access to both whenever you need them. Arguably UnoDNS provides the least hassle, allowing you to "set it and forget it" — UnoDNS does all the work and decides what IP address you need for each service. You can literally go from British iPlayer to American Pandora as if you were residing in both countries by using UnoTelly's 33 global DNS servers.

UnoVPN is there as a safety net for those of you who need secure 3G browsing, are visiting or living in countries that employ censorship and restrict access to services like Facebook and YouTube. Some providers also put in place methods of blocking DNS circumvention, so a VPN will ensure you have access to everything.

Setting Up & Using UnoTelly

UnoTelly will run a setup wizard that either recommends you use DNS tunneling (in the majority of cases) or a VPN connection. If circumventing region-locked content is your primary concern and you aren't under the iron fist of a government trying to control your access to Facebook, you'll probably be using DNS tunnelling.

Changing your DNS servers is a simple case of entering a new IP address into your device's DNS settings (plentiful instructions are provided) then visiting the UnoTelly quickstart page. The service is compatible with a huge range of devices, including Windows, Mac and Linux computers but also iOS and Android devices, current and last generation games consoles, media streamers like the Apple TV and Chromecast and even routers from Netgear, D-Link and more.

Once you're set up, you've got access to 366 (and growing) streaming services located all around the world. These channels and more options are listed underneath the UnoTelly quickstart screen, and you're even able to make requests for additional services to be added.

It's worth pointing out that by using a paid product like UnoTelly [Broken URL Removed], you're not unknowingly putting yourself at the behest of another unknown party. This hit the headlines in May when "free" region-unlocking browser extension Hola turned out to be a botnet. Hola used a peer-to-peer approach to distribute traffic around the world, but was unknowingly selling its users idle bandwidth under a different brand name.

UnoTelly Dynamo & Filmefy

While you might think of UnoTelly as an "alternative" to on-demand providers like Netflix, it actually works quite nicely alongside the service. By taking out a local Netflix subscription, it's possible to switch your region using UnoTelly's Dynamo, and watch international Netflix in 22 different regions. And by choosing to use UnoDNS, you can even watch three different Netflix regions at the same time!

Dynamo isn't just limited to Netflix, and allows you to switch regions for a variety of services, including region-specific US, Canadian and UK TV (among others), the US and UK Google Play stores and north, central and south American variants of ESPN Play.

With such a huge range of Netflix content on offer, you'll probably need some help deciding what to watch. Filmefy is UnoTelly's sister company, providing a Netflix movie and TV show search engine which will tell you which particular region of Netflix your desired content is tied to. This service is free and open to all — you don't need to be an UnoTelly customer to use it.

Using UnoTelly's Dynamo it's then possible to change your Netflix region accordingly to access your content. You can also log in to UnoTelly from within Filmefy, which allows you to change your region in an instant for faster access to content.

This is great for hard-to-find international shows and films; many of which only ever see local releases. It's also a great way of watching films with foreign dubbing and subtitles if you so desire, and now that Netflix has launched in countries like Sweden, Germany and even Costa Rica, there are bound to be hidden gems out there just waiting to be discovered.

Though Filmefy is still in beta, it's open for all to use and even provides out of the blue suggestions in the form of trending and top movies and TV shows. It's the perfect solution to your new best problem — trying to decide what to watch with so much available.

All You Need

You can try out UnoTelly's DNS tunneling [Broken URL Removed] completely free for 8 days, after which your account will simply expire if you choose not to upgrade to Premium or Gold.

UnoTelly's Gold tier basically provides all the tools you need to access region-locked content all around the world and starts at $4.93 per month (when you purchase an annual subscription, regular price $7.95). What's more, it works with your existing Netflix subscription to bring the rest of the service's regional content into your living room and the promising Filmefy can help you make the most of it.

If you don't need a VPN then you may want to consider the basic tier (starting at $3.94 per month on a yearly basis, $4.95 monthly), which omits the secure network but includes hassle-free region unlocking, UnoTelly's Dynamo service and takes the same user-friendly approach.

Join the Competition!

UnoTelly Gold

The winners will be selected at random and informed via email. View the list of winners here.

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