Etisalat, Skype, UAE telecom issues

[emailme]

I just cleared out my pm boxes Sorry didn't realize the box was full. Yes an earlier thread hinted that this board is monitored. people could get to hamachi initially now it's down, Are they blocking hamachi all together or just their web site? :confused: Could you guys email me instead it may be easier
http://jyvetools.jyve.com/skypeme.gif (skype:emailjunkman)http://jyvetools.jyve.com/IMTO.gif (skype:emailjunkman?chat) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/skypeprofile.gif (skype:emailjunkman?userinfo) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/addcontact.gif (skype:emailjunkman?add) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/createchat.gif (skype:Jyve02;Jyve03?chat)

[whokie]

that was from skype....this morning
Thank you for contacting Skype Support.
Unfortunately due to changes in UAE regulations, Skype has been banned
from providing VoIP services in your area.
Please let us know if you would like to have your Skype services
refunded. You can see all your orders here:
https://secure.skype.com/store/myaccount/orders.html
Unfortunately we are unable to provide a solution to this problem at
this time.
Skype is truly sorry about this
Best regards,
:ouch: | Skype Technical Customer Support

[L1011]

Emailme,

Please check your PM's.

probly best to reply via PM too

[smiler51]

I also tried hamachi and had a friend overseas set up a network for me but it doesn't work. i also have an anonymizer which works with my internet explorer (http) but not with skype because it doesn't support https or socks5. i'm getting so frustrated!!!!!

[MataMoros]

Hi All,
managed to log into Skype but unable to complete a PC-to-phone call. It will only do PC-PC calls, I guess I should be happy...

Any feedback guys?

:ugh:

[smiler51]

Can one of you please explain to me how to configure Hamachi so that skype uses it. i may have it set up wrong. i can see my friend online and chat with him but i can't get skype or my internet explorer to use the vpn to access the net.

i also read the threads at the hamachi forum, but it still doesn't work

Thanks

[emailme]

Set your browser to the hamachi proxy ip address. Ok are you using firefox (you should be)get the pxify extension to easily switch proxies. The hamachi link can explainit better than I ever could Anyone who wants help can pm or skype your hamchi network info and we can work it from there Good Luck

http://forums.hamachi.cc/viewtopic.php?t=3810

http://jyvetools.jyve.com/skypeme.gif (skype:emailjunkman)http://jyvetools.jyve.com/IMTO.gif (skype:emailjunkman?chat) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/skypeprofile.gif (skype:emailjunkman?userinfo) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/addcontact.gif (skype:emailjunkman?add) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/createchat.gif (skype:Jyve02;Jyve03?chat)

[smiler51]

that's exactly what i tried but it isn't connecting. i won't give up though :-)

it is just makes me a little angry because it looks so easy but isn't in my case or with my knowledge :ugh:

[emailme]

:cool:I want one of these:cool:

http://www.ubergizmo.com/photos/2006/8/philips-voip841.jpg

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/08/philips_introduces_voip841_skype_phone.html


http://jyvetools.jyve.com/skypeme.gif (skype:emailjunkman)http://jyvetools.jyve.com/IMTO.gif (skype:emailjunkman?chat) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/skypeprofile.gif (skype:emailjunkman?userinfo) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/addcontact.gif (skype:emailjunkman?add) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/createchat.gif (skype:Jyve02;Jyve03?chat)

[Eddie_699]

Some good news....

Managed to get Skype back on-line again. and the little green icon been on the whole day.. made few international calls and browsed any websites I want.
I've just cleared my PM box so PM me if you have any questions and remember this thread is monitored.
I Won't reply to any questions here in this board.. Just PM.

Happy Skyping.

[smiler51]

I'm back online, too. thanks for the support everybody! Let's see how long it will last :}

[Speedy66]

smiler51 can u make PC to Phone call ?

skype is back at IPIG but u cant make PC to Phone call

[Eddie_699]

Hiya there
Who ever sent me PMz, PLZ check your Boxes.
Nothing to mention here onn the Board so just PM.
Happy Skyping
Cheers
Eddie

[Thridle Op Des]

This morning I tried to top-up my Skype account with a UAE Visa card. I operate in the DIC area but use TOR anyway. I got a message back saying credit refused. They then went on to claim that it was due to either:

Not sufficent funds in credit card.
Using an anonymous proxy to access the internet.
Unable to support purchased with credit cards from certain countries eg Spain.

The first is not applicable, just checked and no big bills eminating from Nigeria.
Second - hmm I'm using TOR so possible.
Third, I'm (sadly) not in Spain and I have a two year history of purchases with a UAE credit card through Skype.

I had a look at the Skype forums and there seems to be a rash of similar incidents all around the world. I would be interested to see if anyone else in this part of the world has had a similar problem.

TOD

[L1011]

It works - the Hamachi option anyway!

Just do as the guys have said here. Took me a day of fiddling and cooperation from an offshore PC, but finally got Skype working again. Sound quality is a little poor sometimes, great at other times. Web surfing slow, but acceptable.:p

If I can get it work, then anyone can. (Had to say that before RU did)

[emailme]

:D:ok::D:ok:
AlrightThere are other hardware options too.

http://jyvetools.jyve.com/skypeme.gif (skype:emailjunkman)http://jyvetools.jyve.com/IMTO.gif (skype:emailjunkman?chat) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/skypeprofile.gif (skype:emailjunkman?userinfo) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/addcontact.gif (skype:emailjunkman?add) http://jyvetools.jyve.com/createchat.gif (skype:Jyve02;Jyve03?chat)

[Speedy66]

hi Thridle Op Des
well i used to top up my skype using Credit card from UAE and since 8 mounthes that was not possible .
skype bad support ..... we are sorry try alternetive payment method
afther that they blocked skype site alsow skype support cant afford alternitive site ...

then i had to use Ukash card ,,, u cant belive that ****
i had to pay 15 % VAT :confused: coz i had to chang my address to UK to use that payment method:eek: ..they offer it to some EUROP countrys only ...

finaly i tryed moneybookers it's very good but stell i have to paypass the
skype site :bored:
so all of u who are located in EUROP countrys had to pay that 15% VAT
unless u change ur locations :cool:

[Cyberbird]

:confused: Strange. as i could Top-Up ,y nicely running Skype w/o any problem today with an UAE HSBC-Card -
all in all - it just runs as normal as ever before those muppets came up with their useless barbwire :uhoh:
Anyhow - You should be able to find som trustable friends/ relatives etc. who can top up Your account from overseas - of course You must allow them to log in on your Skypüe-account ....;)
well, i'll just go ahead and call some mates in the US - for FREE via SKYPE now -as my little green tick stays now for over a week (!) unbothered in the box as ever :E

[Squamish]

My skype is still not working, tried almost everyting.

[smiler51]

If you have to, just sign up with MoneyBookers. Mine is still working by using a regular credit card. it's from the states though.

[Thridle Op Des]

I appreciate the option of using Moneybookers, but it really grips me that I have to pay to upload and download money into the account when I had a perfectly satisfactory system of paying by credit card. Looking at the Skype forums, it seems that customer service is non-existant as previously indicated on this forum.

I suppose I shouldn't moan too much since at least I can Skype-Skype.

Regards

TOD

[sudhir]

It seems that Skype works perfectly in the UAE when it uses proxies. You just have to check a box in the settings and find a free proxy.
To find good free proxies you can ask ivan at [email protected] , he's an expert with that information. I was able to make crystal clear voice conversations after setting this.
you can access blocked websites as well, or use SIP phones in an unblocked way. By the way do you know some PC-to-phone like Skype but which can make free calls to landline phones in Europe?

[Eddie_699]

Hiya there

Who ever sent me PMz, Please check your Boxes.

Well done Lads for not mentioning any software names which is making our green thingy working again, We don't want those C**nts from ETI**SLUT to block our only hope.

Again who ever sent me an email with out PLEASE. be sure I'm just going to delete and block your PMs. I've received few PMs like "hay send me the sofware" ... "send me the link first.

Cheers and Happy Skyping......

Eddie

[chinny]

:confused: All gone quiet.

Does that mean all are back on line:eek: or all run out of ideas:sad:

cc
VTSP

[Bezi l]

I live in AUH, and I am unable to connect to SKYPE via the ADSL line. However, I have managed to connect by setting up a VPN (Virtual Private Network), that is costing me $8.88 per month (around AED33) - IMHO well worth every dirham. PM me if you want details!

Cheers
BL

[Desert Nomad]

Just back from my summer hols and seen that Skype is not working. Will have a go at fixing it later tonight.

Oh, it really is good to be back in the sand box!!!

[Eddie_699]

:confused: All gone quiet.
Does that mean all are back on line:eek: or all run out of ideas:sad:
cc
VTSP


Didn't you get it ?

Please check all above replies, in this thread from now no body wants to mention name of any software or how did they got connected ( You are smart enough to know why ) and YES many of us are on line now.

Sharing details and helping via PMz.

PM me if you need any help Mate.

Happy Skyping...

Eddie

[410]

I seem to remember someone posting a reply on an earlier thread some months ago here on the Middle Eastern forum discussing Skype urging the original poster to remove the thread, (which, after a fruitless search, it would seem the original poster has done).

The person asking for the thread to be removed made the point that Eitsalat had, to date, worked on the "if you don't tell me, I won't ask" principal in ragard to Skype, but wouldn't be able to keep doing so if it was rammed down their throat.

I believe he was right on the money, so could I urge everyone, in the strongest possible terms, just to let the issue die, and maybe things will just drift back to the way they were when the spotlight's been off the topic for a while. (I live in hope.)

And please, if you find your system is working again, follow Eddie's sound advice - post something to your mates by email. DON'T tell the world about it on Proone, or Etisalat will just slam the new door shut on us yet again.

[emailme]

Sound like a plan, Like I posted before blocking skype is hard to do. I know how their doing it and am trying to find as permanent solution. Is voip as a whole outlawed in the region? or is it just int----at.

[chinny]

:sad: SOZ.....
Thanks for allur guys help-u know who u r:ok:

cc
VTSP

[dody99]

back to my normal life :)

Thank you Eddie, you are the best :D :D :D

[Eddie_699]

Hiya all Skyper*s

Who ever sent me a PM, PLZ check your Boxs.


I Can hear them saying .. "What the F*** is going on here, where did all of them go. whats going on how come many of them are on line again"

Well Dear ETI-SLAGS.... Good Afternoon.. I'm hiting my cold beer and drinking it from a Pint with a SKY*E logo.

dody99 and the rest your most welcome Lads

Cheers and Good Day

[wingslow]

Try this!
www.PetitionOnline.com/uaevoip/ (http://www.PetitionOnline.com/uaevoip/)

Have your say :ugh:

[barkingboris]

Dear Moronic archaic,3 rd world,inbred and generally useless Eat- a - Slut.
Making cheap calls abroad has NEVER felt so sweet.I really am dining out on this and thanks to some of the guys posting on this thread we are able to keep contact with the REAL CIVILISED world.
Try as you may you will never stop us .:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: you !!!!!!!!
To all the techo boffs who came up to bat.WELL DONE !!!!!!!!!!!

[Squamish]

Try this site
www.zibarth.com

[Bezi l]

Top work Sqaumish!!!!

Bezi :ok: :D :D :D :D

[Vorsicht]

This has been blocked already. Do not post links to these sites on pprune, send by PM.

Eddie_699

Could you please PM me the details.

Regards

V

[GoreTex]

Eddies, solution is not the best.
I would try squamish, its cheaper and doesn't require any software, it works for mac too.

[montencee]

Try this site
www.*******.com

That's a good idea.

Put all the links in the public domain so that the internet provider knows what to block.

[Andu]

I think 410 has the right idea. But it would appear not too many agree with me.

And ps and by the way, squamish, I don't think B****o would be too pleased to have his name website splashed on this site over this particular subject.

[Fox3snapshot]

You are a legend mate! Works just fine....its great to be back!

:ok: :ok: :ok: :D

[Eddie_699]

That's a good idea.
Put all the links in the public domain so that the internet provider knows what to block.


Mate

Well said, I agree with you.. lets open a website and keep it updated daily so ETI-SLAGS know about where to block.

Happy SKYPING....

[miss petal]

Think Squamish... Think!!
Use your brain...

410 Well said.. no need to show off to Miss Eti..

Happy Skyping or Yahooing..

[pravi_2]

Hi Eddie,

Could you please PM me the workaround.

Thanks in advance
Pravi

[barkingboris]

Gentlemen
I had lunch with an old friend of mine yesterday who is involved in a lot of government projects in Dubai ,which includes Eataslut.I mentioned this voip blocking to him and hey presto he asked me the following question.
"Did you know which 2 countries in the world try to block voip comms"
North Korea and the UAE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Progressive place this .

[Andu]

So Pravi 2, here's a quick question for you. If you're asking Eddie to pm the details of the fix to you, WTF didn't you pm the ****ing question to him?????

---

Gents, as I attempted to point out on an earlier thread a couple of months ago, the Powers That Be in Dubai used to deal with VOIP in very much the same way they deal with unmarried Westerners living together - ie, if it's not rammed down their corporate throats, they can pretend it isn't happening and ignore it.

But when it's shoved in their faces, it becomes a different matter. Those who've been here long enough will remember the pilot at Gulf Helicopters who was arrested and imprisoned after his ex-wife in England contacted the police and complained about his living with his girlfriend in Dubai.

When people continue to post messages on an open forum like this announcing - even boasting, some of them! - to all and sundry that they are still managing to get around whatever hurdles Etisalat has put in place, for Etisalat, it's a bit like the chopper pilot's wife.

If people would follow 410's advice and let this thread die, (maybe even pull it into Admin, Moderator?), things might settle down and we might find they return to normal afer a few weeks or months.

I said in my original post some months ago that I would be very pissed off if I lost my Skype connection because of ***ing fools prattling on about it on Prune and was howled down by some for doing so. (I'd only just got my relations back home to use it.) Having lost it, let me repeat that I'm very pissed off, but as much with the people who caused Etisalat to react they way they did as with Etisalat itself.

[chinny]

:} having got mine sorted then geting the message to SHUT UP.... mine has now been thwarted again.most of the links have been blocked and am having to go the long winded route of back door!!!!!!:{

Mods please close this link down before we all loose it.

cc
VTSP
:ok:

[340longhaul]

A few words for the EK crew in dubai

1-Use google search
2-Type "Vidalia Project"
3-Download an install (available for mac and windows)
4-Follow install instructions (proxy server settings in internet options, connection, LAN settings, use proxy server, advanced, need to be changed)
5-Run vidalia and use skype
6-Watch the Dirhams go from "E" to your bank account!!!!!

Happy VOIPing!!!!!!!!!

The program provides "Anonymous" surfing therefore not "illegal" as you are protecting your pc from virus attacks by hiding yor IP address therefore allowing all internet traffic without "E" being able to see what you are doing.

[Big Bus Boy]

Can someone PM me with Eddie's way to getting things working again,

Cheers.

BBB

[chinny]

check ur pm

cc
VTSP:ok:

[jafar]

HI 340 LONG HAUL
WHAT EXACTLY DO U DOWNLOAD? STABLE?DEVELOPMENT,:ugh:
THANKS

[Fish]

It's there! A little green icon in the bottom right hand corner. A beautiful sight! Thanks to those that helped!

[GoreTex]

Is they guy who helped in jail yet?

[emailme]

Jeeze If I lived in China or N. korea would I love having access to skype.

[aimscabinet]

It's there! A little green icon in the bottom right hand corner. A beautiful sight! Thanks to those that helped!

Fish, could you PM me? I would also like to return to skype

Thanks:ugh:

[chinny]

check ur pm
cc

[sec 3]

Thanks man!:ok: Skyping happily, Cheers! Anything to screw the etislags:E

[Fart Master]

Chinny or Fish, I have pm'ed a couple of people for a solution but no replies, any chance of mailing me a solution to get my Skype going, ta:ok:

[aimscabinet]

check ur pm
cc


Terrific!! Thanks!
Green thing is back at the lower right-hand corner again:-))

:D

[aomfac]

Fish or Chinny, could you please PM me? I would also like to return to skype.
Thank you very much:ok:

[pullup hard]

appreciate any useful PMs- thanks!

[iraqi]

please help with this vidalia project, i have downloaded it, but the configuration page is blocked by E
can someone PM me please?

[NOMANSNEMESIS]

As per all discussions above, i have had great success using some new freeware called "wibble".

This can be downloaded free from http://www.blackadderhall.com/

I think most UK based pilots should understand the point of this useful freeware link.

[Radar35]

Fish, could you PM me and give me a clue how to get skyping again....please

Thanks alot

Radar35 :ok:

[GoreTex]

there is another way [email protected]

[L1011]

Emailme please check your PMs.

[redibis]

if somebody knows how to get sk..pe back to work on mac...
I 'll be gratefull for any help (via pm)
Cheers

[chinny]

hi bh,
pm me on the pprune system and unblock ur messages and i will see if i can help.:)

cc
VTSP

[blackhat10]

will do thanks

[chinny]

ck ur pm

cc
VTSP

[chinny]

hi any 1 know anything about bangman51-before i give anything away:uhoh:

cc
VTSP

[Big Bus Boy]

Chinny,

Think I followed you instructions but still no joy here in AUH, any other ideas???

Cheers,

BBB

[Fox3snapshot]

For the Abu Dhabi gang and the Doo-bites still not on line, special thanks to one of our other PPooners on this thread and the site he sent me I have been enjoying an unrestricted WWW and SKYPE environment!! :D

Feel free to PM me for the WWW address. We must unite! Slam dunk this oppression! :*

Yippee Ki Yi Yay!
:ok:

[chinny]

mmmm-not sure why not working-did u follow all instr-no other web tunneler or anything else running-then will have to dig deeper:ugh:
speak to f3ss in mean time to try get u going forward-as i am.
cc
VTSP

[emailme]

Just wanted to let you know that skype is concerned that their product is getting blocked. I'm working on my own product the will work in conjuction with skype and hopefully It's a million dollar idea. I'd rather stay clear of the Uae and the mideast. I agree with other posts in regard to stopping this thread or just letting it die. It is my understand that encrypting communication in the uae is illegal.

[desertflyer]

Just returned from leave to no S__pe. The wife can't talk to her mum and is going nuts. Any help via pm to get back on line will get you a case of your favorite beverage! ( as long as it's beer or pop:8 no scotch!)

[ratpoison]

What's wrong with scotch ??????????:confused:

[desertflyer]

Just returned from leave to no S__pe. The wife can't talk to her mum and is going nuts. Any help via pm to get back on line will get you a case of your favorite beverage! ( as long as it's beer or pop:8 no scotch!)


Little green dot back:D Debt paid!:)

Cheers!

[Eddie_699]

Dear Skypers

I won't be able to reply to all your PMs now days, I'm on vacation until end of the month so until then PLZ post your request in the thread or try to PM one of the pprunes who has a cure.

Cheers and Happy Skyping

Eddie

[Silky]

Hi guys....just effected by the eti salad... can someone pm me with the info needed to bypass them... in te gc and just back from my leave to be unable to call the folks....
tks in advance :\

[Fox3snapshot]

Howdy again gang, anybody who PM'd me check your inbox.

Just an update, the link I have sent you for the program I have nicknamed 'Bunker Buster' is still working very well, 2 weeks or more now so give it a go. :ok:

[smiler51]

did anyone already try the new 2.6 beta version if that gets around the block without any outside help. I don't wanna try it because mine is working good at the moment :-)

[Itswindyout]

I had problems with my camera on skype, worked with all other progs. Now OK, after latest update.

I am not in ME, but Moscow, and can not confirm sit re UAE etc. But upgrade is of benefit.

windy

[Abdulla1]

Could anyone PM me , I have Mac.
Thanks

[Dany_F]

Hi all ya Skypers,

Skype beta 2.6xx definitely can't bypass the Eti$&!t block. It was also released some 3-4 weeks ago, before Skype was "terminated" in the UAE. Let's hope Skype soon comes up with an upgrade that renders Eti$&!t's investment obsolete.

Some friends of mine who live in areas where DU is the telecoms provider can still use all VoIP services. DU reportedly did not block these services... yet!

[sneha85]

Guys, I would like my skype to get working too. I am really frustrated with the damn Etu*******.
I sent PM to couple of you guys, but nobody has replied yet. Can someone help me please. Please send me a PM.

I will appreciate it

[L1011]

Hate to join the ranks of the paranoid, but given our travails with our local ISP, I suggest that no one shares workarounds with unknown quantities.

There could well be new posters (one or two posts, joined recently) who are actually stool-pigeons. :uhoh:

[GTR-34]

huh?:eek: How can we tell who's who then??dangerous world we live in!:(

[chinny]

Be ware.....be very aware.they are out there.:oh:
cc
VTSP

[Giant88]

Chinny
Thanks. I can see the green sign at the bottom right of my PC again. Thanks.
BTW anyone knows how make it work for Apple?

[TwoDogs]

I too miss my Sk^pe.
I AM NOT A STOOL PIGEON - check my posts I have been around for quite a while :)
Please can someone PM me with the solooshun?

[Cikpigeon]

For those using Mac, you can PM me.

Cheers

[Instant Hooligan]

Can somebody private message me with how to get skype to work with tor, or jap. I've got both but can't get them configured!!! If you need some sort of verification i'll do whatever i can..

[TwoDogs]

To those who responded to my plea - you know who you are - a big "Thank You" :D

[Jim Lauzon]

Back two weeks now and haven't been able to get skype going. I've tried tor and freecap but it doesn't seem to work. It did for a day and then stopped. I'm a newbie but not a stool pigeon. If anyone would like to pm me with some advice on how to get back up and running, I'd be grateful. Just a little frustrated as other are I'm sure... Cheers JL

[sneha85]

Chinny
Thank you so much for your help !!!! I really appreciate it.
I can see the green light. Yayyyyy !!!!! :)
It feels so good to be able to get back in touch with family & friends.

Keep up the good work folks.
Cheers

[Popgun]

Anyone able to give me some help to get this sorted out? I've tried Ghost to no avail...

Cheers,

PG

[Jim Lauzon]

I'm also in the same boat with skype. Please pm me if you have a way to get it working. Thanks. JL

[L1011]

My Skype was back again - sort of. Could only see one person on-line, no calls to landlines, but the little green tick was there.:confused:

Then it vansihed again - on this PC anyway.

A teaser for Ramadan maybe?

[Andu]

Received from a friend yesterday - a letter he submitted to one of the local papers. Perhaps not surprisingly, it hasn't been published.Those misguided individuals complaining about Etisalat’s recent blocking of Skype and other VOIP phone service need to understand that there was a small number of people misusing Skype, and for that reason, (and certainly not to increase Etisalat’s income – perish the thought!), the services simply had to be denied to the rest of us for our own protection.

Similarly, a small number of people here misuse motor vehicles, driving them too fast and in a manner dangerous, so using the same unassailable logic as Etisalat has employed in blocking Skype, those who are protecting us from the depredations of the Skype misusers need immediately to deny everyone in Dubai the use of a motor vehicle.

There have been complaints – I’ve seen them right here in this newspaper – that a small number of people play music overly loudly, annoying their neighbours. This can be easily fixed – all people must be banned from playing music immediately.

I understand that some non Muslims here in Dubai overindulge in the consumption of alcohol. Clearly the answer to this problem is to ban all alcohol use for everyone in the Emirate without delay.

A number of smokers insist on lighting up in places where smoking is already banned. Let’s use the Etisalat fix – ban it completely.

Mobile phones – I received a smutty SMS once. Ban the lot of them.

I hear constant complaints about unattached males – ‘bachelors’, who are mostly labourers from the Subcontinent – causing unease and distress among many of the females who reside here, so it’s obvious that all these ‘bachelors’ should be sent home immediately. There’ll be an added benefit to this – with all the labourers gone, there’ll be no more complaints from people disturbed by all that noisy construction work at all hours of the day.

I’ve also read that quite a few people here are offended by Western women wearing inappropriate clothing in public in Dubai. Following Etisalat’s logic, the obvious answer is to introduce a strict dress code for women, particularly those dreadful tourists from Western Europe who think that just because they’ve spent multi thousand Euros coming here to stay in a five star hotel on a holiday package that promises limitless sun and pristine sandy beaches, they can wear the kind of clothing Westerners usually wear at beachside holiday resorts.

It may come as a shock to some that a small number of the single young women among the many who have come here to Dubai from overseas indulge in work in some of the nightclubs and bars of this city that can best be described as… (gasp!) immoral, so it’s obvious that the only way the rest of us can be protected from this small number of ladies of ill repute is immediately to deport every young woman from Dubai.

I’ve also heard that some of these women set up shop in private villas, so the obvious fix for that is to ban everyone from living in private villas – and apartments as well.

So, with all those fixes in place following the Etisalat model, we’ll have everything solved and Dubai can remain where it is at the very cutting edge as an international, cosmopolitan trading and commercial centre.

Right up there alongside Pyongyang, the only other city in the world where VOIP is banned.

[GTR-34]

:D:D Enjoyed reading it!! Only wish is for that to be published:E...L1101..i had skype on about 10days ago(with UAE flag!) with normal connection..didn't log out the whole nite but it was log off automatically next morning.

Maybe there is limited no of users allowed at anytime now! :cool: just a theory!! i might be wrong.. i had connections 2x since they blocked it or it may be some system glitch.

[Joske]

Change the settings on your PC to UK/US settings and time zone then change sykpe to UK also, should work, did for me!

If not, re install Skype using the UK/US as your base!:D

[smiler51]

I highly doubt that this would work, but why not try it.

I'll give it a shot later. I don't think the sniffer program will let it pass once you change location.

[Phil Squares]

Not based in DXB, but frequent the area from SIN to various destinations. Could someone PM me with a fix to the SKYPE issue in DXB. Was there a few days ago and was SKYPEless....

Thanks in advance

[74world]

G'day,

Anyone interested pls PM me.... cheers :E

[guemes]

If anybody would care to PM me with the workaround I'd apprectate it. Just signed up for Skype ran into this myself. Anyone know about Yahoo voice> Is that effected by this problem as well? I can't get it to work either.
Thanks again.
Guemes

[Andu]

Quite surprised to see that "7 Days" printed my friend's letter (see post above dated 24 Sep and http://www.7days.ae/2006/09/28/so-if-its-ok-to-ban-skype-over-its-misuse.html ) Note that you can make a comment online about the letter on the 7 days site.

All I think that can be guaranteed is that all too many readers of the paper will completely miss the irony

- and the deafening silence from Etisalat.

[wannabe49]

there is a secret no one knows and that is that it does work and theres is a group that charges a small one time fee for the entire year, also some extras come with it. i have been using it for 4 months now and never lose touch with anyone. its a miracle! just email xxxx use an outside email like yahoo or hotmail to when responding. its unbelievable.

[Airgus]

Everytime you are on a LayOver, get your Laptop or conect to the internet using any computer, log on to Skype and update your account from there...

As Dubai is full of Expats, you may have someone outside you can trust... well call a friend at your home country and ask him/her to put some money into your Skype account...

If it is someone you really trust, call him/her and say: log onto skype, use my account and password, put some money there... you do not have credit card? use PayPal... send some flowers... chocolates for X-mas...

Capishe? do that and stop worrying about Etisalat... :D :D

Salutti a Tutti!!

[TwoDogs]

Perhaps it isn't a train........

from "7 days"

At last! The news that 7DAYS readers have been waiting for: Etisalat have finally decided to unblock a number of hugely popular web sites that, over the last few months have not been accessible to the public. And you, our readers, fully played your part. The ongoing campaign, through our letters pages, and through complaints to etisalat themselves, to get these web sites back on our computer screens has paid off, common sense has prevailed and the public is once again free to enjoy sites such as Myspace.com, Youtube.com, Piczo.com, Metacafe.com and Hi5.com, among many others.

Despite taking a seemingly disinterested stance for a long time, etisalat is to be congratulated for finally acknowledging the wishes of their customers and the fact that these web sites offer harmless fun without threatening the security or culture of the UAE.

One 7DAYS reader summed up the mood of the relieved UAE web surfers with this message: “Finally! We are able to "Broadcast Ourselves". Well done Dubai, we have gotten Youtube unblocked! I think etisalat finally realised that Youtube actually was a lot of harmless fun, where people can be creative, and the government can now try to reach its viewers to combat all sorts of problems such as drug abuse. Thank you etisalat, finally, a satisfied customer.”

[MR8]

Skype is up and running again since 2 days.. No tunneling or IP techno stuff required. ADSL connection somewhere in DXB.

MR8

[blorgwinder]

Yup working fine in Um Sequiem. Could it be, it is possible that someone out there was finally listening to.:= ... Naaaa I am dreaming again. Be interesting to see how long this dream continues.

Off to make some phone calls to reality, where ever that is....:D

[blorgwinder]

If it was blocked becasue of "security concerns" and now it is unblocked the questions that need to be asked are, did the security concerns go away???????????:hmm: OR have they figured out a way to listen to the conversations???????:ok:

[Sir Osis of the river]

Still not working in Abu Dhabi. Any ideas??

[Andu]

Still not working for me. I'd appreciate a PM from someone who knows what settings are required to be changed.

[Speedy66]

blorgwinder and MR8
can u stell connect to skype with out any thing ??

[Dany_F]

:ugh:

Hi to all of you who've not given up on getting Skype to work again!

I live in DXB in a non-free/freehold zone and cannot get skype to work without any of the workarounds known to many in this thread but which I will not disclose for the reasons most of us know.

Skype is still not working in SHJ either.

However, I have been experiencing lately something very strange: By using one popular workaround, I can use Skype & make crystal-clear calls one day but over the next few days the "workaround" becomes very unreliable (frequent disconnects) while my firewall detects very frequent attacks on my PC coming from UAE based IP addresses only!!! Could our beloved local telecoms provider be behind it???

Anyone experiencing anything similar to what I described?

Cheers,

D

[737BBJ]

Dany_F,

Is it possible you could PM me the "workaround". Tks.

[clear to land]

Been away for a while, came back and it is working fine (living on SZR) without the alternative I was using. However I also am getting VERY frequent firewall attacks. (By fine it is working the same as before it was shut down: calls are fine but no access to accounts page, so still using the proxy for that)!:)

[bantam1]

Hi all,
Tried all the get arounds etc but no luck.:ugh: Could anyone PM a solution me that'll be most appreciated.
Getting very p...sed off with handing over endless cash to Etisalcrap.
Thanx

[Scooter Rassmussin]

Also a rumour that Etisalat has employees call pilot mobiles while they are away as the wrong number just to build up funds easily.

[Jim Lauzon]

Thanks to those who sent some suggestions to try. So far they've worked, although just today it seems that it has stopped working. Not sure if it's temporary. Anyone else in the same boat?

JL

[desertflyer]

Working in Jumeriah!! Maybe they read my survey when I said I would be switching providers ASAP!

[camber]

I am also very happy to say that SKYPE has remained operational, with no interuptions. Jumeirah location, basic Al Shamil. Desktop and Wi Fi connected laptops are perfect. I do keep my fingers crossed!! Hope everyone is able to reconnect via work around atc as soon as possible. Its a life line to the outside world. Good Luck!

[Cyberbird]

... i really don't see ANY problems using SKYPE high above the SZ-Road ..
it works fine since ever !! @ some days those "useless wonnabees at ETISALAT" are trying
to block it - so i've to start up my "B-plan" alias "workaround" - which works just perfect! :ok:
I have not had any phone-costs with ETISALAT for any long-distance call since over two years -Scouts honour! those mean monopolist won't see ANY other Dirham from me, than for topping up & re-registering (another mean ripp-Off! :{ ) my pre-paid mobile ...
I've just called my mates in NZ for FREE for over some 1 1/2 hours -
thanks to SKYPE - free phoneline forever :E

[Speedy66]

s*ype is working find in dubai Karama
i test it from 13 to 13:54 stell online

alsow Gizmo is working to
any one try Vonage ?


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

please keep this site alive

[ragga]

Hey wannabe's solution worked great for me, thanks mate! I can now actually talk to my family back home without spending 2.5 dhs a minute! thanks mate.. if you wall want help too, just email them at xxxxxx
i actually wish i would have known about them earlier as ive already spent 2000 dhs this month.. :-/

:ok:

[TangoUniform]

Big full page spread in the Gulf News today (8-10) on page 8 about the blocking of VOIPs in the area. Seems that there is finally an official "answer" to the blocking. Apparently it is a legal matter about communications, blah blah blah. But not to worry mates, Etisalad says they are going to start providing VOIP. An interesting read if you can.
:ugh:
TU

[TwoDogs]

8th October

The UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has defended its decision to block VoIP services in the country, claiming that the facility should be treated just like conventional mobile and fixed line services and therefore needs licensing, reported Gulf News. A TRA official added that VoIP will soon be barred in any areas still able to access services. Etisalat, which is considering launching its own VoIP service, supported the TRA's policy.

[Wonz]

Can someone please PM me with a 'workaround'...I have not been able to connect at all.... :{

Puuuuhhhhhlllleaaaseee Help!!!!:sad: I would be most grateful....

[Speedy66]

s*ype stell can log on if not dissconnect and reconnect to the internet
i just tryed it
i hope it's works with every one

[ragga]

I got my workaround from emailing xxxxx it worked great and now I can talk to my family back home in the states. Its a high quality service and the voice is perfectly clear

thanks alot guys for your help , I wish I would have known about the workaround BEFORE i spent thousands of dhs on international calls.

[Speedy66]

I hope now one will include phone #s coz the site might been monitorde

[Speedy66]

s*ype stell can log on if not dissconnect and reconnect to the internet
i just tryed it
i hope it's works with every one

it's stell working since yestarday with out any programs:D :D :D

[wannabe49]

your welcome ragga i know its hard to believe that there is a unblockable and reliable service out there but it does exsist, trust me its keeping a lot of us expats happy.

[uplock]

Heads up to some guy wanting to ripp u off for your hard earned $$ in Dubai.
Unless your happy to pay 10 times the normal price ......

Allways been able to receive Skype found the solution on 7 days and here is a link to the software (http://www.witopia.net/personalmore.html)

Received a Private Message from member ragga offering a solution for a price, even though I did not ask for help. Only made 3 posts as well...thought there were some rules here about Probationary membership

You should be aware that the price being asked is only around 10 times more than what it would cost you to download the soft ware your self which is all most idiot proof to install and does every thing that ragga claims

I am not plugging the software for any personal gain just really Pi$#$#@@v me off when I get a Private Message that I never asked for and some one stand to make big bucks for what you could set up yourself for around 150 AED for 12 months

You have been told.....

I have posted the PM i received below
skype solution Originally Posted by ragga
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We provide a service that has been running for three
years since from the beginning there has been problems
with using skype in the UAE. Our servers have been
running without any downtime for years (located in the
US) The cost of the skype solution is 100 dhs per
month with a 300 dhs setup fee. We do collect the
full 1300 dhs at the time of installation and keep it
on your account as credit, if the service stops
running we will credit the remaining balance. The
service includes full access to ALL websites as well
as all programs that have been blocked including
skype. We also provide 100% internet security, as and
when you browse your surfing/traces remain completely
anonymous ensuring your 100% security.
Please let me know if you are interested, so we can
schedule a time to meet with you and install our
service. (It takes less than 30 minutes) Vonage solutions
are also available after initial installation is complete.
050-361-3417
Regards,
Alex

[Speedy66]

Hi uplock
I hope u will remove this link coz they might block that site TO
and a bout Ragga
maybe you are right but alsow ragga post in Vonage fourm
http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic15018-0-asc-380.html

[uplock]

Hey Speedy

The solution has been up on the 7 days letters section web site for over a month and have not seen it removed.

Its every where else on the net too if you wanna get your friendly search engine google out and have a gander

You just have to know where to look.

[GoreTex]

try this one

click (https://sales.hotspotvpn.com/info.asp?rid=zibarth&pid=2&tc=1)

it works for a few months now, was on one of the EK drivers personal site

[atiuta]

Etisalad were here before us. The link is blocked.

[GoreTex]

well then do it outside of the country, or from a friends pc who get trough etisalats proxy

[Wiley]

The thread above worked when I tried it yesterday, but is blocked today.
That pretty well proves what someone said a million pages ago on this thread - that Etisalat's minions read threads like this and quickly button up any holes that anyone posts (boasts?) about.

[GoreTex]

it was already blocked months ago, a I said do it from outside or where DIC is the provider, it works very well and its cheap.

[atiuta]

We appreciate your post Goretex, just advising that it's now blocked.

On another note, Etisalat have now, unintentionally or with out thinking, created an underground black market for work arounds. Thank you to those that responded to my emails but I for one won't be paying an ongoing fee (and not that small) to access what I have already paid for. You have seen an opportunity and good luck to you, but I also have a choice and won't be making a purchase.

Who filled out the Etisalat survey? If you do, then give them both barrels. Chip chip chip.....you never know.

[Cyberbird]

" skype: still can log on if not dissconnect and reconnect to the internet
i just tryed it - i hope it's works with every one "

Yes - thanks to all the valueable infirmation given here and on other smart web-sites: :}

I have just NO problems whatsoever to run SKYPE - and the VOIP-alikes , not just from my home at SZ-Road, also from ANY hot-spot in the UAE!
That VPN-mirroring is just impossible to block, as long as there will be ANY phoneline still available to me!;)

That said: Last month i had some Zero (0 !) Dirham telephone costs for long-range telecom with the ETISLUTS - even as i talked some 12 plus hours to Aussie and NZ - for some mere pennies!
Sorry ETISLUT-guys - nice try that one, but You're definitively outsmarted in your blocking attempt, as that cheap & crappy Sniper-Block attempt is obviously not worth a penny - or Dirham - just give it up then boys-
you should realize, when You're beaten on Your very own grounb :E
further more - take Your surrender sportive - and NOT personally ;-))

[chinny]

Hi,
Sorry I've not answered your messages but have been away for a while.To all the guys and gals that i provided info to, there is bad news.:{

The work around was thru a bypass proxie which worked via a link in europe.Unfortuneately due to the amount of bandwidth that was being taken up-at all times of the day-the company/individual now requires re-imbursement for their troubles:sad:

I will continue to try to find a work around that is cheap or free and will advise accordingly.sorry to all-i've lost mine too.:(

cc
VTSP

[wannabe49]

Uplock..im sorry you feel that way as ragga was trying to help. ive been here for 6 years now and this is a service that has worked for me too and i paid the money with not one regret. This wasn't software either its a legal service provided from media city. A guaranteed service is much better than the non-sense we went through with crazy workarounds.

[uplock]

Get reall wannabee49

3 posts and Ragga 3 posts....sounds like a fellow that became famous here writing about himself and answering back as well.

Point is that "service" is no service at all if some ripp off merchant is charging 10 times the standard rate and people should know about this.

If your happy paying ten times for a service that you could set up yourself with out being a compter nerd go ahead fork out your Dollars

Does not change the fact that this service is a ripp off compaired to what else is available.

[wannabe49]

The service you are saying to do is public and not promised to stay online much longer. I would rather pay for a service that will work and at the same time this service gives free long distance, can't beat that with a stick..Anywhere in the world too. I think I got the better end of this deal.

[uplock]

Hey wannabee49 4th post and your still spurting garbage and miss information.

Do you know what your talking about cause it ant making much sense man.

The whole point was to highlight raggamans posting where his recommended service would be installed for the ripp off price of 1,600 AED up front when instead you only needed to pay 147 AED (40 us$) to achieve exactley what his work around would do...

Check the link on the previous page (http://www.witopia.net/personalmore.html)will take you to the web page its not public you pay 40 chips for the year and it gives you every thing your Alta ego Ragga claims


this service gives free long distance, can't beat that with a stick..Anywhere in the world too.
You betta stop beating your stick before u go blind and As your ecstatic to pay 1453 AED more than me goes to show your absolutely right!.I think I got the better end of this deal.

Is this Brian ?

[MR8]

Could be Brian..

The poor lad probably found out that Vice President life on the concierge floor is a wee bit more expensive than he thought it would be, especially with his multiple personality issues, probably spending for Mr. Tartan as well.. So he's just looking to earn some dollaros on the side...

What would be the cost of psychiatric help in DXB?? Must be difficult!!

Me, myself and MR8

[wannabe49]

Well you are under the impression that the service I received is a VPN? When in fact this is nothing of the sort. It is a telecommunications company in Media City that provides you with calls around the world using their international program. So yeah I do think I got the better end of the deal when I no longer have to pay Estisalat another dime.

[bugs bunny]

Hi there!
Would someone be so kind to tell me if there is a version of Sk... that is still working for the people who are under Dubai Internet City internet contract?
Thanks a lot
Bugs Bunny ;)

[GoreTex]

Bugs,
try www.zkype.net there you'll find the latest version
GT

[MungoP]

The greed of these people is staggering... Needing a very large ex-pat workforce to keep the place going because the work is either to menial or too technologically advanced for the locals they then feel the need to rip-off people who try to keep in touch on a personal level with families thousands of miles away.... a Phillipino house servant who gets to return home only every 2 years or so can no longer speak to their family without lining the coffers of a bunch of indolent leeches...

[puff m'call]

"Midnight at the Oasis" and my Skype is working again!!! :D

Just logged on, not worked for a couple of months now all of a sudden.

Great news. :ok:

[MungoP]

No... not mine... anyone else ?

[L1011]

Started working a week or so ago in our compound.:D An Eid gift from Etislut maybe?

If you can't log-on, make sure all the settings are back to how they were originally. Ports, proxy's etc - that should fix it.

Happy talking for as long as it will last.

[Speedy66]

s*ype is online today

is this the same to athers here ??

[GoreTex]

new version of skype is out today on www.zkype.net

[smiler51]

Yeah, just updated to the newest skype version and all I see is GREEN :-)

[Phil Squares]

Checked into the Radisson (old Intercon) today. Skype will log on but can't make any calls. Have tried the "fix" no go.....

Any suggestions???

[Dany_F]

After being away from DXB for a few weeks & fully enjoying Skype without any workarounds, I came back to find that Skype functionality where I live (non-freehold residential near Beach Road) is still - at best - as bad as it was 3-4 weeks ago. The new Skype version still does not resolve the particular issue of "breaking the siege". I'm out of ideas for now, except for leaving this place for good sometime soon... :ugh:

[Speedy66]

from few days sk*pe is green at night and at some parts of the day ????
I dont know why they from time to time they allow sk*pe to be green for us they might need us to forget this site
http://www.petitiononline.com/uaevoip/petition.html

any one here from NY so he can post this to UN

keep this site alive

[chandlers dad]

Just found out that I will be in DXB for around a month or so. Is Skype still working in the area?

Thx,

CD

[Dany_F]

Just found out that I will be in DXB for around a month or so. Is Skype still working in the area?

Thx,

CD

CD, generally speaking, Skype is now completely blocked in the UAE. However, there are some "islands" here and there where it is not blocked (few residential, free-zones, freehold residential areas, DXB airport) intentionally or unintentionallly. Whether you can log in or not depends on where you will be staying. I have no idea if hotels are expemted, but be prepared for the worst and assume it may not work for you.

D

[chandlers dad]

Thanks and am not staying in a hotel this time around. Staying in some crew condo's and not sure what area they are in at this time. At least we will be out flying around the world from there and can get online to talk while away from DXB.

Appreciate the feedback.

CD

[MungoP]

My respect for the rulers of the Emirates finds new limits day by day...

[Jim Lauzon]

I'm not sure what some of the others mean when they say skype is working. I highly doubt it. The ban seems pretty solid across the UAE. A few of the solutions suggested by others have worked, albeit briefly, until traffic became too great and the proxy was shut down.

Perhaps there are a few trolls who want to get people's hopes up artifically. Not sure why anyone would want this...

Probably the easiest (only?) way to connect is through a proxy somewhere, but finding reliable ones is hard. If you have a friend abroad who is willing to let you tunnel through his/her computer, that could work, if you can figure out how to set it up.

JL

[Cyberbird]

"...Probably the easiest (only?) way to connect is through a proxy somewhere, but finding reliable ones is hard. If you have a friend abroad who is willing to let you tunnel through his/her computer, that could work .."

well - it does in deed! NO problems whatsoever with SKYPE here at the SZ road for the last month! it NEVER disconneted yet! Scout's honour!
Thanx to my freind's effort @Kensington - who allows me to route through his PC downtown London! Run's like always! :p

[smiler51]

Hey guys,

my skype was working for a few days on SZ road but it stopped again now. It is so frustrating!!!!!! :ugh:
The only reliable option is using a proxy outside the country for now.

Good Luck everyone.

[GoreTex]

www.zkype.net if you want to use it again

[MR8]

Skype working on SZR. Not very good, diconnects from time to time and a sometimes a delay on the chat messages, but better than nothing.

MR8

[Speedy66]

www.zkype.net (http://www.zkype.net) if you want to use it again


SKYPE WORKS JUST FOLLOW GoreTex advice :D :D :D

[Dany_F]

SKYPE WORKS JUST FOLLOW GoreTex advice :D :D :D

Guys, the more people publicly disclose how they are getting skype to work, the better Etisalat will succeed at tightening the rope around our necks. Even GoreTex's advice does not guarantee success anymore since Etisalat is intensifying port scanning and getting VPN clients jammed on some instances.

Whichever solution may still be working for you does not need to be shared via publicly viewable postings. Use PMs instead. :mad:

[smiler51]

Yep, seems to work great.

I agree on not sharing the solution publically. However, I see their web address mentioned on so many other forums that i hope we will enjoy there service at least for a while. It seems that the company themselves posts their links.

Smiler51

[Dany_F]

Yep, seems to work great.

I agree on not sharing the solution publically. However, I see their web address mentioned on so many other forums that i hope we will enjoy there service at least for a while. It seems that the company themselves posts their links.

Smiler51

I totally agree with you that the published web addresses can be found everywhere and are no secret to many. However, the main concern here is about publicly disclosing or confirming that they actually work & hence make it technically easier for Etisalat to eliminate these last loopholes...

D

[Shark-1]

Just heard on the news this morning that TRA will overturn VOIP ban by christmas, I guessing they will only allow VOIP via Etisalat and Du products, should be interesting to see how this develops.

[Mal_206]

Apparently the Skype/voip restriction etc is be lifted by december.
I'm staying in Springs (close to mall of Em) and have always managed to get Skype no problem.

[Speedy66]

Skype Works they allow sk*pe to be green

[miss petal]

The VoIP is back.. YEAH RIGHT!!!

This is from today's Gulf News :
Dubai: The UAE is to lift a ban on internet telephony or Voice over Intenet Protocol (VoIP) from December, according to the latest announcement by government officials.

Gulf News earlier reported that the VoIP might be allowed later this year.

Reuters Arabic and Albayan this week quoted officials from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority as saying that the ban would be lifted to allow the two licensed telecom operators, du and etisalat, to use the technology.

The news follows earlier hints by the TRA in October that it was considering lifting the ban.

VoIP is a means of transmitting telephone calls over the internet for little or no cost to consumers, a technology which has proliferated in recent years with free-to-consumer VoIP providers such as Skype and Net2Phone.

The reports say the TRA will publish VoIP rates during the GITEX expo running from November 18 to 22


Hai Etisalat or Du, thanks but no thanks. You will never get a fills out of me using your VoIP. NEVAAAA..... ( they realy make me sick.. )

[windsock]

OK, what's the alternative, without Skype or even the internet, how can one cheaply communicate from the UAE to loved ones in the states?

[amberman]

Windsock,

Check your PM

[Speedy66]

sk*pe is working fine tonight
have a good skyping

[Jim Lauzon]

What gives with Speedy? What's up with the disinformation campaign?

Can anyone verify that it works, or is it more BS?

JL

[Speedy66]

HI Jim Lauzon i dont know if u cant find skype green
many time skype comes green with me and i wanted to know if its the same with every one .

it's green since 6 pm tell 9:30 pm now and it's stell green

[dessertdude]

yep green in the DSO as well, skype that is!:)

[Speedy66]

it's 1 :10 am thursday morning skype stell green
whats up with TRA and ETISALAT
what r they keeping in mind

[Speedy66]

skype works normaly now i hope it will stay the same

keep this site alive please sigh here http://www.petitiononline.com/uaevoip/petition.html

[desertflyer]

Can someone PM me the Skype settings.....I've downloaded a VPN and was working fine several days ago, but now will not connect. Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

[mensaboy]

Ditto to desertflyer's post. VPN u/s , skype u/s. Tried everything, any help greatly appreciated. PM pls.

[desertflyer]

Talked with the Skype chaps and it seems when you download the lates update it switches the status to "offline". Check the bottom left corner of the sign-in page and make sure it says "online".

Cheers!

[GoreTex]

guys,
mine works fine, using the VPN from zkype.net, its pretty fast and great to access other blocked sites.

[TwoDogs]

Just downloaded Skype Beta 3 and all is working as it should. First time in months :)

[smiler51]

Bad news guy. Look what was written in Gulfnews today:

Dubai: The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said yesterday it would allow internet telephony, or Voice over Internet Protocol technology, but only for local calls within the UAE.
Long-distance calls using VoIP will continue to be prohibited for the time being to protect the revenue telecom operators receive from international calls.
"The policy by the TRA is to allow only etisalat and du to provide VoIP service in the local market," said Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Government Sector Development.
VoIP has proliferated in recent years with free-to-consumer VoIP providers like Skype and Net2Phone.
These popular VoIP services are actively blocked in the UAE, where an overwhelming majority of residents are expatriates from Asia and the West who make frequent calls back home. The TRA has not indicated if it will ever allow consumers to use Skype or Net2Phone legally.
As for allowing long distance calling with VoIP, Al Mansouri said the government was reviewing its telecommunications policies and would eventually permit international VoIP calls.
The news comes as a half-reversal of its announcement in October, when it said it would allow VoIP from the two licensed operators, etisalat and du.
"We are taking it step by step," he said. "At some point VoIP will be liberalised. As for when, I cannot give you a date. We do not want the quality of service to be lacking or the revenues of the operators to be hurt."
The TRA believes 60 per cent of the telecom revenues in the UAE come from international calls, and that allowing VoIP calls could severely hamper the financial performance of operators.

[Dany_F]

Don't know about the rest of you guys, but this reaction from TRA does not surprise me at all. We all know what the real reason behind the VoIP ban is and that the TRA is under absolutely no pressure to allow it. There is little expats can do about it because after all - according to the TRA, VoIP has always been illegal and now they're just enforcing an old existing law!

In case you have found yourselves a functionning workaround, you can be sure you will need it for quite some time still, probably until you decide to pack your stuff and leave this place!

Bad news guy. Look what was written in Gulfnews today:

Dubai: The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said yesterday it would allow internet telephony, or Voice over Internet Protocol technology, but only for local calls within the UAE.
Long-distance calls using VoIP will continue to be prohibited for the time being to protect the revenue telecom operators receive from international calls.
"The policy by the TRA is to allow only etisalat and du to provide VoIP service in the local market," said Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Government Sector Development.
VoIP has proliferated in recent years with free-to-consumer VoIP providers like Skype and Net2Phone.
These popular VoIP services are actively blocked in the UAE, where an overwhelming majority of residents are expatriates from Asia and the West who make frequent calls back home. The TRA has not indicated if it will ever allow consumers to use Skype or Net2Phone legally.
As for allowing long distance calling with VoIP, Al Mansouri said the government was reviewing its telecommunications policies and would eventually permit international VoIP calls.
The news comes as a half-reversal of its announcement in October, when it said it would allow VoIP from the two licensed operators, etisalat and du.
"We are taking it step by step," he said. "At some point VoIP will be liberalised. As for when, I cannot give you a date. We do not want the quality of service to be lacking or the revenues of the operators to be hurt."
The TRA believes 60 per cent of the telecom revenues in the UAE come from international calls, and that allowing VoIP calls could severely hamper the financial performance of operators.

[Al Fakhem]

Whenever I land in a foreign country, there's a welcome message from Etisalat WASEL by SMS waiting for me, inviting me to use their International Roaming Service.

"Dial *111*NUMBER# and press send".

Well, I've tried this in over 12 countries so far and in each and every case my attempts have been met with a message by the respective local network informing me that the facility does not exist.

Anyone else with similar frustrations?:zzz:

[ironbutt57]

I found wasel to be a giant pain in the hiney, and just forked over the deposit for a "normal" post paid roaming line...solved the problem..:ugh:

[mtogw]

I got to Kabul and lo and behold the bl##dy thing worked, that was Wasel service, but I never used the 111 service just dialled straight numbers with international code,

[Al Fakhem]

Thanks for your thoughts, mates. I shall try mtogw's advice next time - perhaps it's really as simple as that.:ok:

[Straight & Level]

Is it just me or has anybody else noticed that it is no longer possible to sign in to MSN Messenger? Tried on both desktop, laptop and PDA but nada. What gives Etisalat? :suspect: I have the latest version of Windows Live Messenger and Internet Explore 7.0 and I was unable to sign-in from about 2 days ago. :ugh:

[slimy]

Yes same here, must get a letter to Microsoft as they will not be pleased. the question is, is it permanent or just for Christmas to make more for these money grabbing :mad: . Merry Christmas to all from Etislut. :sad:

[Sheikh Your Bootie]

All fine here on SZR, along with Skype.

SyB

[BusyB]

Don't know if its relevant to you in the ME but Taiwan earthquake broke 2 major undersea cables and internet very slow in HKG.:confused:

[Bezi l]

I'm not experiencing any problems in AUH!! Everything is working fine here.. messenger, yahoo & SK***E....

[Straight & Level]

Disregard all before. Messenger up and running. Put it down to sunspot activity or something...

[BigGeordie]

Easy to get paranoid in Dubai....

[2 Dogs]

Hasn't been working here for last couple of days. Still not working 1730 on 28th. :(

[Desertweasel]

Don't know if its relevant to you in the ME but Taiwan earthquake broke 2 major undersea cables and internet very slow in HKG.:confused:
this is correct and is because all the far east traffic was routing through our tiny cable, same symptoms as last years cable cutting incident off India, etisalat restrict secure traffic to reduce bandwidth requirements.
If they had decent connections would not happen of course

[Myway or the highway]

Hi there all

I may have a possible position in Emirates early in the new year, but before this happens I am hoping you can help me with an internet query.

If one takes up the Emirates provided housing option can one still connect to broadband? I thought I saw this was impossible unless you owned but would appreciate the correct information from a few of you already there and on broadband!

secondly, does skype work over there on broadband or have they blocked that too?

third question I have, are the new villas at silicon oasis, already wired internally for an internal network or is it just like where I live where we just have the cables external?

await your feedback people, thanks

cheers:) :)

[maddog62]

Hi guys,
this what one service provider wrote to me yesterday....


We've been working with customers throughout yesterday and today and our
analysis shows that massive packet loss due to earthquake damage to Pacific
undersea cables is the cause. Many customers' Internet traffic is routed
through these cables, although we are seeing more traffic is now being routed
through London. We're investigating workarounds, but most likely usable
service won't be restored until the cables are repaired. We're so very sorry
about this, but there is precious little we can do, unfortunately. Below is a
news article that better explains what happened:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aDVUKavFPodw&refer=home

-Steve

[Michel Rissi]

I came just back from my Christmas holidays and find out, that my Skype doesnt work anymore, even with web Tunnel. I tried to send a e-mail to the distributor about the plist.dat for solving the problem, but no reply. Can anybody help me?

[EGGW]

Mate, try using a slightly less obvious username, most of us here have a nom de guerre or two for these forums.

EGGW

[Wiley]

And pleeeeeasssseeee, don't mention the Sk**pe word again on this or any other publuc forum. Ring around and speak to your friends for any info you need.

[Silverspoonaviator]

There was a very popular thread, that shall not be mentioned that I am trying to locate. the solution appeared to be a vertious privade netwok, can any one point me towards a soloution the the perenial uae problem.. a pm would be prefered. thanks guys...

[Silverspoonaviator]

I respect you thoughts, I have the same problem, having just arrived, so any suggestions appreciated, via PM. thks

[L1011]

My S4#pe is gone again. Can log one and other aprty can hear me, but all i get is garbled snatches of what they are trying to say.

Anyon else have the same?

Looks like our favourite monopoly is having another go at protecting it's profit margin.

[737BBJ]

L1011,

My S4#pe icon in the lower right hand corner of my screen is green as it can be. Reading your post, I wonder why :confused: I just hope it will stay that way :)

[ruserious]

but all i get is garbled snatches
Usually that is all I get from you too.......

[ExSimGuy]

Any sort, garbled or not, would be welcomed by me :ooh:

. . . Deprived, in the Middle-East

[Thridle Op Des]

Thought I would share a nice e-mail from DIC:

Dear Customer,

In accordance with the instructions of the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), our obligation is to prevent usage of certain Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

This will mean that from January 2007, we shall prevent the ability to use an internet connection to make telephone calls from PC to Phone, using VoIP.

If you have any queries, please call Customer Care on 04 390 5555 open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


Kind regards,
?
A***** G******
Executive Director Customer Care

TOD

[GoreTex]

www.zkype.net to fix it

[Trashed Aviator]

My God Its a breakthrough they are being honest.:D

[Sir Osis of the river]

In the Gulf News today.

Dubai Internet City internet users to be barred from all VOIP access!

Seems it must get worse before it gets better?:ugh: :ugh:

[Austin Holed]

Welcome to the 13th Century. :mad:

[ExSimGuy]

Welcome to the 13th Century. :mad:

Get it right! It's the 15th Century - AH

:ugh: :ugh: :ugh:

[2 Dogs]

FROM THE ONLINE VERSION OF WINDOWS ME

The telco provider that supplies internet services to users based in Dubai’s Free Zone and Emaar residential buildings, DIC Telecom, will block voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone calls from the end of this month.

The move, briefly outlined in an SMS message to customers yesterday, is being made in order to comply with the UAE regulator’s instructions.

The full text of the SMS sent reads: “As per TRA instructions, starting Jan 07 we will prevent the ability to make PC to phone internet VoIP calls. For queries, call Customer Care on 04 390 5555.”

A customer service representative from the company informed Windows Middle East that this block will cover all forms of internet-to-phone voice calling, meaning consumer VoIP services such as Skype will no longer function properly anywhere in Dubai (Etisalat having blocked such services several months ago).

DIC Telecom’s owner, EITC (which operates under the brand name 'du'), provided Windows Middle East with the following statement today:

"Following specific instructions, du has selectively blocked VoIP calls on the du Broadband Internet Services. More specifically, VoIP calls made from the UAE using du Broadband Internet to a PSTN or mobile phones are blocked."

The statement continued, "Other VoIP calls such as those from a Personal Computer (PC) to another PC worldwide are not blocked. Calls could also be received from overseas Internet users; however, this service could vary depending on other countries’ VoIP policies."

This move occurs less than two months before du is expected to begin offering its own commercial phone services.

EITC was unwilling to comment on whether it will offer its own consumer VoIP solution once its internet services are up and running.

[GoreTex]

http://www.zkype.net/page1/download.html

[FTA]

Residents of EMAAR properties are the latest casualties.

What happened to the Skype RIP thread?
They was a lot of good information on it that I now require.

[critical winge]

I have been using for several months now izone. Its a proxy thats external to Etisalat and you can use VOIP as it has no blockers on VOIP or any other sites for that matter. Go to Virgin and buy the izone card, I think it's about 200 Dhms for 1 year, its fast and uses an external proxy which means you go through IT and not EtimoneyGRABs server = problems solved!!

;)

[4HolerPoler]

Very good question re. "What happened to the Skype, RIP thread?"

I've no idea and it perturbs me; whilst it wasn't aviation related it was full of good gen that assisted many of the ME aviators and there is no reason that I know of for it to have been pulled. It's not parked in any forum that I have access to, I've asked the powers that be on this site if they know where it's gone & will revert to you when I get a response.

4HP

[gnadirs]

4HP,


what is going on these days on PPrune. With all these threads dissappearing for no specific reason, I would say something really is wrong.

Maybe PPrune became to big as a business and now the owners do not want to take the risk anymore of having to shut down due to a crazy lawsuit coming from the 'pit.

One thing they will have to remember is that we, the posters, built this site and not the other way around. We want a good forum with honest information whether its positive or negative.

I know a lot of people looking at PPrune as their only beacon...

But hey, take the info away and pprune becomes just like the 1000s of other forums on the web...and when the posters stay away, so will the advertisers eventually.

I know you are on our side regarding these matters hence your replies here and on the dissappeared qr treads..

But could you please pass these messages to your management beore some smart guy starts SPPrune.org...

Thanks a lot anyway,

[FTA]

Thanks 4HP

Thats very worrying.

critical winge, is that wi-fi that you are using?

[critical winge]

http://www.izonetelecom.com/en/

Nope, no Wifi. Its a direct line through a companys proxy to "accelerate" your service (use their system setup). They don't have blockers and you use it by downloading the software, insert the name and password on the card you bought in Virgin, system reboots and your Net is now directed through them. It works (as lots in Saudi would tell you very well) at getting around primary server blockers. Try it and see. :ok:

[FTA]

Thanks critical winge.

That internet acceleration service looks very good. ;)

[outhouse]

As mentioned a number of good and informative threads have entered the black hole never to be seen again and the information within the text lost. I would truly hope that no external influence was involved. Can moderators of forums check discontinued threads and retrieve information, any comments?
Outhouse.:confused:

[4HolerPoler]

Relax, it's been found. Due to external pressures experienced by the owners of this site a number of threads were temporarily moved to a quiet backwater until they could be reviewed for content that could bring potential legal action.

I reiterate that this site is not bowing to such pressure, we're just repacking the sandbags. Now, if we did this job as a full-time job it would probably have been sorted by now but everyone from the owner to us mods are pilots flying the line. So it takes a bit of time.

Stick with me on this please; I'll get it back on track shortly.

4HP

[outhouse]

Thanks for the info 4HolerPoler, I think and hope that we all understand the pressure that may be imposed mainly from the sand pit, re exchange of information, it’s not a natural part of the SP mentality and freedom of information is sometimes embarrassing. We all appreciate I hope the efforts of chaps like yourself in acting as moderators, Thanks
outhouse

[krisgnair]

Those who are struggling with etisalat or other ME internet providers who blocks skype and related VOIP solutions download and install the program called JAP. It will clear all the proxies.

http://anon.inf.tu-dresden.de/index_en.html

[GoreTex]

I tried JAP but its awful slow or doesn't work at all, zkype.net is still the best I used so far
tex

[BYMONEK]

Krisgnair

Would love to but THAT'S been blocked too! Great here....innit? :hmm:

[Superfluous]

What is the situation with Skype in Oman? Is it banned there as well?

[bluepacific]

Nope, Skype seems to be working okay here in Oman.

:)


BP

[manfromnorth]

have any tried the new cordless Dualphone which bypass the pc. You connect directly to your router. To buy more credit though you will still have to access skype.com

[FTA]

DIC have unblocked it... for now.

But if it happens again, I found that a VPN works perfectly.

[5star]

Anybody tried skype yesterday or today? They seem to have blocked it... again...
With VPN, it still works, but man....it that thing slow...(max 10Kb download) .
I wanna go home :ugh: :ugh:

[GoreTex]

5*
I am using a VPN and it slows down my download speed from 250kb/sec to 120, which is still plenty to run skype video.
hotspotvpn is too slow but the one recommended on www.zkype.net is great.

by now everyone should know how to bypass etislut

[Wonz]

Critical W,

Does the 'accelerator' work on any OS? I have an old laptop running on Windows ME.

Regards

[bigilla]

GORE TEX
PLEASE remove your last post. Do not mention websites on this forum as history has shown that Etislut monitors it. If you wish, just PM a link to whoever wants it.
Thanks

[panaef]

Hi,

I used TOR/Privoxy, a local proxy to bypass the limitations found in the UAE to access certain sites (such as skype.com) and to user Skype.
It worked well (a bit slow though) but since a few weeks I can't get a connection anymore.
Anyone knows what happened and what I need to do to get it back to work?

Thanks