Is Skype blocked again in UAE?
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: dubai
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I have the same problem as well calling from PC to PC for the last few weeks. I can start the call but the quality is so poor that is impossible to talk, even without video.
I just moved to this new place I don't know if it is a poor connection problem, more feedback would be very welcome.
I just moved to this new place I don't know if it is a poor connection problem, more feedback would be very welcome.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Down the river
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Are you with DU? In which case this is nothing to do with VPN but internet quality issues. DU are messing around with their servers whilst upgrading their network and this is having a huge impact on VOIP and streaming applications. If you run a quality test you may well find the amount of "Jitter" is at an an unacceptable level for VOIP to work. A call to DU might resolve some of the quality issues
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Here and there.
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Dubai
Age: 52
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I think they've definitely blocked it this time. It was working okay with Hotspot but even that seems to be playing up now. Anybody know of another VoIP provider that is not yet blocked in the UAE?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: All over
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They're actually being very devious...
They're not outright banning it because you can go to skype.com. It will even put the initial page (without the VPN) in Arabic and even allow you to download and install the software.
The initial page will take forever to load... (16 Mbps connection?? and every other page is blazing but Skype is slow??). Then try downloading the software, same thing as well... it will take FOREVER to the point I'd just cancel it.
I'd fire up my VPN, and low and behold... fires right up, software starts downloading at appropriate speed, etc.
Now, I fire up Skype (without VPN) and try PC-to-PC connection, but for kicks and grins, I show active technical log right next to the call. What do I see? Send Packet Loss starts at 0.0% and within 5-10 seconds, it goes to 100% and that's when you can't hear squat... then you ultimately end up with Connection Lost message.
Now... again, fire up the trusty VPN - miraculously, Skype again works like it's supposed to.
See, if they outright ban Skype, they know people will just have VPN's and they lose.
If they allow you to use Skype, but throw in all kinds of sabotage into Skype VoIP like this deal with Sending Packets, if you don't know much about technology, you'll get frustrated and think it doesn't work, and you'll pick up the phone and dial your home country and get conveniently billed by Du and Etisalat at their insane rates.
They're not outright banning it because you can go to skype.com. It will even put the initial page (without the VPN) in Arabic and even allow you to download and install the software.
The initial page will take forever to load... (16 Mbps connection?? and every other page is blazing but Skype is slow??). Then try downloading the software, same thing as well... it will take FOREVER to the point I'd just cancel it.
I'd fire up my VPN, and low and behold... fires right up, software starts downloading at appropriate speed, etc.
Now, I fire up Skype (without VPN) and try PC-to-PC connection, but for kicks and grins, I show active technical log right next to the call. What do I see? Send Packet Loss starts at 0.0% and within 5-10 seconds, it goes to 100% and that's when you can't hear squat... then you ultimately end up with Connection Lost message.
Now... again, fire up the trusty VPN - miraculously, Skype again works like it's supposed to.
See, if they outright ban Skype, they know people will just have VPN's and they lose.
If they allow you to use Skype, but throw in all kinds of sabotage into Skype VoIP like this deal with Sending Packets, if you don't know much about technology, you'll get frustrated and think it doesn't work, and you'll pick up the phone and dial your home country and get conveniently billed by Du and Etisalat at their insane rates.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Dubai
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jdoe, I have a paid for VPN and use tunnelblick to connect on MAC and no other software to connect on Windows. I received some very good support from VPN provider as I was having trouble too. using remote access they were able to set it up properly on both Windows and MAC.It works wonders now!
HTH
HTH
