I'm sure Skype will create a work around, possibly a "virtual website" on their own P2P network.

I think this is an unfair trade practice. Skype and skype users worldwide should respond by blocking .ae websites as well. This is not the first time that they are doing this.

Yes that is to bad UAE is doing that... but we must remember that is a different culture and different government. They can do as they please. However, if people want to work around they can give their credit card information, user ID and password to a trusted friend outside of UAE to buy them credits. I would feel comfortable giving that info to my brother if I needed to so I could buy SkypeOut credit and a SkypeIn number.

I live in Dubai...basically VoIP is illegal here. They have it running internally in places like Dubai Media City where I work but all outgoings and incomings must be routed through Etisalat. Bit of a bummer.

I do remember reading in the Gulf News a little while ago that it might be allowed within 12 months though...

one can always use http://tor.eff.org to escape such constraints.

Its basically down to the fact that as the other person said Etisalat has a monopoly on the telephone and internet service and they see the use of skype as a threat to their 220 million dirham a year profit margin. The telephone and isp service here is a joke anyway, from being charged rediculous rates for service to the fact that u have to run behind a proxy and that half the time the service goes down. I guess greed today is what runs this world.

http://tor.eff.org is proxied in the UAE too!
Lamers'.

I am in UAE and was successful to download skype from www.tucows.com, they cannot block tucows.com, can they?!

Re skype
In the UAE you can not dial out weather you have credit or not can anyone help.

Etisalat actually does not have a monopoly. Etisalat is owned by the neighboring emirate. Dubai has created its own telcom provider - DIC (Dubai Internet City) which I have at home. This service also prevents VOIP traffic. It seems that both Etisalat and DIC do not block access to Skype but actively monitor the system for VOIP traffic, which is cut off after about 1/2 seconds after the first outgoing voice packets. If we could determine what the monitoring technology is, I am sure that a work-around could be developed...

If you live in the UAE and are blocked for skypeout credit refills through www.skype.com----try:

www.skyper.net
www.skype.gr

These links might redirect and bypass their blocking.

I use skypeOut from Dubai and it usually works fine. Of course, need someone abroad to buy credits for me. Sometimes, the quality is pretty poor though.

I work these days in UAE and i just can say that skype if you have a normal good connection is no problem. Skype to Skpye or Skype out! The thing is that they block a few sites and you cannot get on the site to reload your credit.

Solution: A friend in a country which is not blocked and you trust him. Or like easier for me - me company got a VPN connection (Virtual private networ), then you just route a few bits and bites over germany....;-) it runs...and if they will block VPN then all will get problems...

cheers

The Skype website is not available in Qatar, and has not been for some months. It is not directly blocked, the communication just times out. I guess Qtel (the local monopoly Telco) has programmed their routers in an unusual way....

Skype itself works fine, only issue is to buy more Skype-out credit and to get new versions of Skype.

I don't like blocking the internet or VOIP, but I would paranthetically point out that VOIP is blocked in much of Arabia. I know it is blocked in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Many Arabian countries also employ proxy servers to block access to a number of mainstream web sites.

I think security is a red herring. It is childs play to monitor SIP based communication. SIP is generally unencrypted. Keeping companies out of VOIP, however, stops home brewed companies from competing in the world market. It keeps companies out of call center markets, stops Israeli comapnies from establishing virtual presences in other countries. Moreover, you are just going to drive people to programs like SKype or force the country to cripple its Internet to the point where no one can get a satisfactory connection in order to stop acceptable VOIP based calls.

If I have learned anything from life, it is that being greedy always comes back to bite you later. To embrace new technology (so long as it doesn't cause uncontrolled harmful effects) is an essential part to the growth of any country. Not the ONLY essential part, but an important one.

To not embrace it because of the fear that it will have negative effects on the economy is clearly a sign of weakness and lack of vision (if that is their fear). I am reminded of the gas prices that are rising in the US and other places. This would not be a problem if certain oil companies would release the technology for better fuel burning engines…but then that would just destroy the economy and send the governments of the world into financial chaos!... Nah…it’s just greed.

But whatever, the people only take crap for so long. Even if it does hit the US, it won’t last…at least, I hope not.

I also agree with Capitalism but yes, competition is needed for it to work…hence why countries need people with vision

2006 the Asian games will be in Qatar.. lots of guests and toutests will come here in this situvation Qtel can run their monopoly bad telephone network with high rates.. even now they are charging a very big amonds on international calls with their land and mobile lines no buddy to ask if somebuddy ask or right about this their life will be in truble.. the time is now someone should come to distroy thiskind of monopoly systems

My hopes of broadband quashed in UAE as I read the terms and conditions set by Etisalat which makes VOIP basically "illegal" or against the ISP's policy. When calling a rep to confirm this I was frankly told "NO We do not allow any such Voice Telephony Services being used through our networks. eg VOIP. And if you are found using such services (refering to VOIP), including bypassing our services through the use of VPNs to disguise these activities, we will promptly cease your internet services and may well be prosecuted and fined. Hmmmm. BOO!!!! And in addition to that, their tech are consistantly monitoring such activities (refering to VOIP).

I'm living in Qatar, and I inform everybody in Qatar who want to have ADSL from QTEL, to check how much it costs by month, compare to the services provided.
Everybody must know that QTEL has blocked skype (credit & VOIP), MSN Messenger (Video call).
What is the ADSL line benefit know ? We are paying 200 QAR/45€, for only the services QTEL wants us to use.
It is much better to only chat to subscribe land line internet service.
Before taking any ADSL subscription, think about it as you will wait as least 2 months before having it.
I will cancel my ADSL line as soon as possible.
Good luck

http://forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?t=39927 :



clerk.siteburg.com - is a program that allows you to work through a SOCKS5 proxies to hide the real IP-address



- it has been checked - it is working! I live in United Arab Emirates and local Internet provider closed access to some sites including Skype.

Even India (a poor country) in comparision with Qatar, has legalised internet telephony couple o days back.
This is absolute greed to keep all money for them.

Iam from Egypt, VOIP is forbidden here too, Skype is working fine. Its too bad to be controlled by others, So U can use this programe to switch your IP (Proxy Switcher) Its working fine, try it.
I hope it will work in your case.

Etisalat has a monopoly on the telephone and internet In UAE, Egypt Telecome is the same in Egypt, as well as Saudi arabia, Qatar and many other contries.
All I can say that We need Freedome from these stupid laws.

I have a friend working in the UAE who recently bought a notebook PC and down loaded Skype in his/her home country. Skype is not blocked in my country. Is it possible for me to Skype(from my country, call computer-to-computer) my friend in the UAE without the call being blocked? Or is all Skype communication blocked in that country?

This is an information to all world community .. read carefuly.. this news from Qatar ,where the coming Asian games will condect.. here no internet freedom , no place to live even the country populations, only one monopoly telephone network is here, all filtering your internet email, news , informations, and other entertainment pages, no voip , even dial up internet no bandwidth to carry voip calls, sattalait net not aloved here, all are illegal ..good to no one come here to see asian games good to watch games at your home on your TV, if you comes here you will loos money and you will suffer alot.. please avoid to come in Qatar.. where is no internet freedom.

Firesupport

I did happen to use and download Skype in Bahrain a couple of months onto a friends computer and they seem to have freedom but that might be because there are now 2 telecom companies there, batelco and MTC Vodafone.

Recenlty from UAE if you try to use SkyPe Software it doesnt work ?any way out?

I have been using Skype successfully, however I need someone in the US to buy credit on my account. I also use Vonage in the US, and was, untill today, able to access the Vonage web to listen to voice mail. BUT, from today, it is BLOCKED too - I hope Du will come to the rescue and take out Etisalat completely. The monopoly must end soon....

I realy felt so sad after reading all the above posts, but dont u worry anymore, i have a soultion for breaking this blocks FOREVER, anyone can VPN connect to another location thats not blocked and browz the internet using an IP from the unblocked area, am located at UAE now and my IP is at Texas where i managed to get a VPN connection, the problem that may face you now is "WHATS VPN?" ask any of your technical friends and they would help You out! we are still in a free world.

though i work in UAE but pakistan rocks. every thing works in pakistan nothing is banned we dun have any monoply in telephone or in any sector but UAE does. why world is sleeping why people still coporate with UAE dubai not with pakistan i dun understand. hay you people there belive me pakistan is better place to invest money pakistan rocks UAE sucks

dear sir

i want to check if some id have blocked me from his skype.
could you help me.

with thanks
nadia

ENERGY, so I have a VPN connection to my office in DC, how do I use that secure connection to be able to acces Skype's web page and get credit for skype out? any help would be appreciated....

well, the best way is to make a privet network (hamachi) with other friend outside UAE let's say UK,& by this network u can use his ip address in youre proxy....
I used port 5688 ;)
I did it & its working in UAE...:P
Cheers

Yes, Etisalat blocks the Skype Website.
You can buy Skype credits via the new Skype version. No matter if the site is blocked or not.

You even can open the website or other Websites blocked by Etisalat. Check for PUTTY and get a secure connection to a server outside of the UAE.
So all your traffic will be encryted and you can open which ever website you want.

Also if you install the internet connection on your own not using the stupid drivers provided by Etisalat, you can share your internet connection via your own wireless router. No need to pay extra.

Bye the way get a really good firewall in the UAE. there are hackers everywhere and I think Etisalat or their engineers do portscans. I was tracking IP addresses in the UAE in our firewall logs and reported to Etisalat but I never got any response but the portscans stopped for one day.

I'm in Dubai now.As we know,most websites about skype has been blocked in a "time out" way.what's more,since Aug 16,2006,even the login in to Skepe has been blocked!!!!that's unfair and rude to the users in Dubai.i used to make about 5 or 6 calls everyday.now i really have no idea that what can i do to get skype back.

Yes skype use to work fine untill Yesterday 16 Aug. Can not connect skype, Uninstalled new version installed all older versions. No help. Can any one please mail me a fix.
Thanks

Check for PUTTY and get a secure connection to a server outside of the UAE...

Sounds good, but how to do? I have downloaded PUTTY but do not know which parameters to enter to use skype in Dubai...
I would appreciate a short description...
Thanks,
Steffen

I seem to be having difficulties when skype loads, i have been using it for the last 6 months but for the last few days, it wont let me

SKYPE is now fully blocked by Etisalat. :(

You can't even log on nor see your contacts online.
I wish I could block Etisalat !!!

I guess it's time for me to leave this rotten country, ruled by hypocrites!

These idiots have even blocked skype in the freezone. VOIP's use in business conferencing and workflow organisation has become
Which business will now want to set up in a place that does not allow VOIP? What next, block bbc.co.uk????

Anyway, can anyone help be bypass this block, there must be a way... cant www.skype.com help us fight back or provide us freedom fighters with the tools to win this war against telephony.?

I await to hear.

hi there!

use an encrytion program which encrypts your interent traffic. additional you need a server outside the uae.
enter these info in skypes connectin setting and connect. it works.

i made a call to austrtalia today.

read my article above. get a damn good firewall und encrypt all your internet usage!

adding to my former post:

Skype is blocked by Etisalat blocking its IPs. I was checking my firewall logs to find the IPs.
So I think all we have to do is wait till Skype gets new IP branches.

hi dear all
At last Etisalat block the skype after blocking i used it just install any annonymous proxy software and configure it with ur skype and run it.There will be a little delay but atleast will be better then Etisalat's costly phone.
Best wishes

Guys please provide a step by step guide to working around the etisalat monitoring blocking of skype activity. And let's hope Etisalat does not read it !

We have to be optimistic for the future. It just needs one government say Qatar to open up net telephony. Any sensible international business will move their operations there. Dubai can ignore this development only at its peril. Can't avoid the future - can only embrace it.

I have run into the same problems regarding using Skype. I have tried unsuccessfully to use Putty. I would like to know in detail how to set up Putty and also know how to adjust the settings in Skype to get back online. Any help would be much appreciated.

Locked out.

I find it very PRIMITIVE from DUBAI, a country in development, to block such a service! Sounds just like they think as same as when they were still living in the desert... I would never expect such a rich country to to pull away tecnology resourses.

VERY PRIMITIVE!!!!!!! They will never get the level as the western countries...

STUPIDS !!! They are very stupids. They must turn the time back like they live in the desert... ulalalalah very primitive like the cave men!!!!
Hallo oooooo the tecnology has arrived and it is not a monster with 7 heads!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even in countries wich are poor and less developed the people have access to the tecnologic resourses!!!

DUBAI LEADERS!!! THE MODERNITY HAS ARRIVED! The tecnology is not only for western countries, You can also enjoy this!!!!!!!!

I too cant connect to Skype for the last 2 days from dubai. Is there a problem or has etisalat blocked using skype?

Skype still works in the DIC zones of Dubai (e.g. many/most Emaar buildings). I.e., still DIC doesn't filter/block traffic, at least not Skype. However, free zones such as Dubai Internet City do not appear to be affected.

yes Please. Provide some sorts of step by step info to guide desperates like us. Skype stopped working & communications stop just like that.

All help are greatly appreciated.

We live in the so called free zone but skype has now been blocked by DIC thought they deny this an insider to me its true .what we do now is get family in the UK to sign in on my skype account and call our home number so it may be annoying be still keep in touch so in the end DIC and Etisalat dont get their own way .

Have you tried to uninstall the new version (2.5) and install the old version (2.0)?? I have heard that this trick works.. any update?

I`feel like im living in a country that is greedy for money and nothing else matters.Once the government wasnt like this, ever since they ran out of oil they have become hard up in all aspects of their running of their fiefdom.
Anyway people, i think cursing them everyday will change their regime when something bad happens and all the expats move out,their etisalat provider are the biggest robbers on the planet.Every dog will have its day, esp Etisalat

Hey Dubai Expats,
Today Sheikh Skype of Dubai has announced to share the good news with his expats: use AnchorFree (the anchor for tough Skype times in the UAE) and call your loved ones wherever the are in this technical world. Skype is back in the UAE! Praise GOD, in Jesus name, Amen, Hallelujah.

Hi from UAE...

Skype is officially released from Bondage! (or Skype may have found a way out ;).. It works now.. How to pay for Skype Credit? Get a friend to Pay or use a proxy server to pay...

hi all
still its not working at dubai media city....some rebel leaders of etisalat maybe still adomant...but net cafes in karama do have skype working from friday...anyupdates guys

Sorry, but I do not see any change. Skype is still not working in Dubai. These Karama cafe might use an anonymizer.

Hi Guys just try 5 simple steps to get skype working again in the uae. I hope it will workout...

Hi

We are back to stone age, Skype is blocked again from
today.

I think you should ask ivan, ivandunord@free.fr
he gives free settings and proxys to have skype working. It's rather simple...

I hope one day U.A.E. frees itself from the bondage it is in at the moment. Its such a shame,it is trying to develop itself from a third world,even though it has ran out of oil.Business relies only on expats an tourism. Robbing people from basic rights not only certifies them incompetent,greedy but also gives people the sad feeling of not being able to call their loved ones because they cannot afford the prices Etisalat the robber company charges. I hope other countries recognises Dubai an its backward policies, and people keep cursing U.A.E. because of this small basic right to speak to their loved ones.One day Dubai will pay with all their greed.

why ? why they are cutting and blocking every thing? why we should all live in acave and only see the light that they allow to view?
we ask them why they invent all these technologies ? just to write it in a books to be eat by dust over the years...... we need the technology, i need to talk to my family,to see them .... we are in the 21 th century...we are civilized!!!! is it becouse there is " SEX " things which is forbiddin !!! i ask them what about the millions of people that make sex daily in UAE even in the streets......

come on ....Bullshit
mike

Skype works fine for me, i live in the Marina and I use Skype all day long.. its a simple trick on the computer that will solve all the problems.. Good Luck

Take the time to fill out this and pass it on to your friends, a petition on SKYPE in the UAE

http://www.petitiononline.com/uaevoip/

What nonsense! Those freaking illetrate UAE nationals have nothin better to do or what!?? But they are like this, I was born in Dubai, so it doesn't totally surprise me.

I think no other country acept for these handful of Mid-east countries would have VOIP banned. But u know what, people will find a way, they always do.

I am now looking for an easier alternative for people who are not that savvy w/computers. I hope I get one soon. Please inform me if anyone can specify an alternative to having a private network, changing IP etc.

to ashwin, yeah blocking Skype is bad. However, if u don;t lke that or u r in UAE or ur friends or relatives there, then GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE. We have 100,000 people that can replace u.

Hey Marina Skype User...

Y dont yu share the simple trick with others?

Etisalat have scored an almighty own goal by blocking Skype. When Skype is back up and running, which it will be one way or another, everyone will know about the benefits of using it thanks to all this publicity! Genius! Well done Etisalat. Thank you for bringing this wonderful service to our attention!

Only yesturday Skype Blocked in JORDAN ,, i called my ISP and asked about this and they sent me the fax they got from Telecommunications Regulatory Commission to block skype Date : Sep. 13 , if there is any way to use my skype please help :'(

Hi guys
As I know that all of us who are working in UAE, are having hard times to get 1 dhs more income, I have put this article to help those fellows who were using the cheap internet calls and it's got blocked these days.

I know that many of us have spent large amount of money calling home so we were using some internet cheap calls so that we pay less, but it s got blocked now, I started searching for a new solution cause I didn't want to pay almost half of my salary for my telephone bills and at last I found a new solution which still works, so any body who needs to call any place in Pakistan can use this website www.ladenstream.com
I have used it for 3,4 times , and it is working fine.

thanks and regards
sumit

www.ladenstream.com isn't that a dangerous spy site???

quote from site advisor:
Exploits are rare but extremely dangerous security threats caused by a Web site "exploiting" a browser's security vulnerability. The exploit can insert programming code which can cause adware infections, keystroke spying, and other malicious actions which can leave a computer essentially unusable.

If you try to browse to a site that caused an exploit during SiteAdvisor's safety tests, SiteAdvisor will first redirect you to a warning page. If you still decide that you want to visit the site, you can add the site to SiteAdvisor's "do not warn" list.

Well great site but also consider those calling from subcontinent to Gulf. Anyhow thanks for sharing.

Hi,
This is Jack Richards from ladenstream.I was just reading the above posts and comments and come to know that after all our effort to unblock the voip in the blocked areas and after all successful tests which our system has passed, still there are some fellows who think that our system is not working or it is a fake one, I read that somebody was in doubt if the www.ladenstream.com is a dangerous spy site.
I want to ask this fellow don't you think making a spy code and injecting it to a voip based site is a stupid thought?!!!!
seems that you are not familiar with voip technology or even I may say you are not familiar with internet at all. if we wanted to do so we would have written such code and put it in an adult site, to get better result.
just let me ask you one question. can you tell me who are the target visitors of a VOIP provider site? If you don't know the answer I will tell you. we have 2 kinds of visitors.fisrt are other voip providers who are mostly IT professionals and are aware of the technology and the second one are the normal people who at least know what is internet telephony and what is voip , otherwise they you couldn't search and find a voip site.
so now don't you thonk it would be a stupid thought to insert a spy code in a voip site!!!!!!! to spy who and what??????
we are very happy to say that we have implemented a new way for our services and it is working perfectly in all areas , specially in blocked areas. our users are increasing day by day. we really respect the people who helped us by paying attention to our services and to our effort and had supported us in order to gain this success.
Jack Richards
support department
www.ladenstream.com

To FARES.. that one u were talking about that can be "replaced by 100,000" and that one u are asking to leave the country.. will rule u one day .. don't think that few dirts (like u)that don't even make 7%of total population of the country (UAE locals that is) will keep holding the country on its feets...so u better stop your greed and let the rest of 90% of the country (immigrants and foreigners)live in peace.. and give them at least their basic rights and freedom.. screw u and etisalat.

Can anybody advise me, to use skype in UAE? The skype was so clear.

Firstly, thanks for all your kind words.
Secondly, we did NOT block VoIP sites or ports in the U.A.E. but were asked to block them on behalf of the TRA (Telecom. Regulatory Auth.)www.tra.ae.

In the future; please ask those in the know or do your homework before bad mouthing others.

For VoIP site &/or service block/unblock email the tra: info@tra.ae or call them up on the following:
T: 02 621 2222 F: 02 621 2227
T: 04 362 6666 F: 04 362 6677

Good Luck!

Ayas,

When we go back (and we will!) please make sure YOU stay here, we don't want narrow minded bigots like you loose in the big, free world. After all, without your censorship and control you wouldn't be unable to make up your own minds about anything, right? Oooohhh what shall I do Etisalat, what shall I think Etisalat, what can I see Etislalat ??

Part with $39.99 for personalvpn from WiTopia, http://www.witopia.net. The setup takes about 10 minutes and I have to say I'm very impressed. Skype now working fine and all "restricted" pages are now available.

witopia 39$ ? I found something cheaper there: http://ultravpn.lynanda.com . it's 4.90$!
I guess everyone already uses it...
Sorry if you already paid for this witopia!!

Dear Etisalat Marketing. You have been blocking skype much earlier that TRA decided to ban it. More over your competitor "du" (former DIC) had never blocked it. Now they started to ban it but fortunately it is not so easy!