Best VPNs for Georgia

However, despite a high penetration rate, the country suffers from slow connections, as its internet infrastructures are still underdeveloped. Nevertheless, Georgians enjoy the presence of digital TV services, with exclusive national channels and the world’s most known streaming service, Netflix. As these services are restricted to the country’s geographic area, those who are outside of that region will have to resort to using a VPN service in order to access them.

Using a Georgian IP

The country has few digital services available. A single Digital TV service, with an eponymous name, is available for those who want to access Georgian content. Digital TV has over 60 channels across different genres, like movies, music, kids, general, news, and adults. In addition, this provider has 19 national channels, such as First Channel, Second Channel, Hope, Rustavi 2, TV First, Adjara TV, Maestro, and more. Other channels in different categories include FOX, RUTV, Basti-Bubu, EuroNews, National Geographic Wild, and beyond.

However, the service is only available for those who live within the country, meaning those who are outside the country’s area won’t have access to it, unless they’re using a VPN. Despite that, Digital TV is still an attractive offer for citizens living abroad, since it is very affordably priced. Customers can purchase a subscription for a monthly value of approximately $4.5, making for an annual cost of $54. Though in the first month customers will pay around $36 due to costs associated with purchasing the equipment, the annual value is equivalent to a monthly subscription of regular U.S. digital services.

Georgian online privacy laws

Georgia’s constitution recognizes the use of the internet as a fundamental right. Article 17, which refers to the rights to freedom of opinion, information, mass media, and the internet, stipulates that everyone has the right to access and freely use the internet and censorship shall be inadmissible. In addition, as internet access and usage increase within the country, state bodies have also begun to use internet and social media to share information.

When it comes to individual privacy, there are no restrictions on the use of encryption tools online to provide anonymous browsing. However, citizens are required to provide personal information when purchasing a SIM card. Moreover, ISPs and mobile phone companies are obligated to provide statistical data on user activities when requested by law enforcement. This doesn’t apply to cybercafes, however, as they do not register data about customers.

Internet censorship in Georgia

Despite Georgian citizens being able to enjoy internet freedom, internet supervisors have noted that several security-related laws empower law enforcements to conduct surveillance and collect data without independent oversight. As we mentioned before, ISPs are required to provide statistical information about their customers, regarding site visits, traffic, and other matters.

Additionally, some cases of censorship have happened in the past. In 2015, the State Security Service blocked WordPress in an attempt to restrict access to a website hosted on the platform. This specific website was responsible for distributing videos by a pro-Islamic Stage Group. The next year, access to YouTube was also restricted. This time, the government was trying to prevent citizens from watching a video which threatened a number of journalists and opposition figures. Access to the media service was restored only after the video was taken down. Aside from these two occurrences, no internet censorship reports have surfaced in recent times.

Despite acting in these two situations, the government does not place any restrictions on connectivity. However, internet infrastructure is still very poor, and users have complained about the quality of connections.

Streaming services in Georgia

However, slow internet connections may affect streaming services’ performances, therefore making for an unpleasant experience. For those trying to use the country’s national services, a VPN will be of good use. By switching the real IP’s address with an IP at another location, not only is the service encrypting the user’s connection, it is also providing a more stable connection. However, while using a VPN might help improve connection speeds, users connecting to a Georgian server shouldn’t expect great internet velocities, regardless of the VPN service they’re using.

Free Georgian VPN trials

In terms of internet freedom, Georgia is a relatively good country. However, with poor infrastructures, citizens suffer from bad connections. Therefore, we’d like to recommend some VPN services to overcome that difficulty.

NordVPN