Skype Journal confirmed today that the only Internet Service Provider in the Sultanate of Oman blocks its residents from web access to Skype.com. This keeps people from downloading or updating the software and from buying SkypeIn phone numbers, voice mail service, and SkypeOut minutes.

Omantel, the Oman Telecommunications Company, offered stock to the public his week but still holds the state monopoly for both land-line telephony and Internet service. It is generally believed that Omantel blocks VoIP (voice over the Internet) as unlawful circumvention of their telephone system. Omantel staff said they don't expect changes to this policy. Some hope authorization of Nawras Telecom as a mobile service operator will eventually create competitive pressure.

600 thousand expatriates live in Oman and lower-cost telephony has been very popular. Net2Phone, Skype, MSN and the like help them stay in touch with their home country.

See also:

• Skype Journal: UAE Blocks Skype.com, 24 April 2005
• Skype Journal: UAE Blocks Skype.com; follow-up, 7 May 2005.
• Wikipedia: Communications in Oman

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