Etisalat, Skype, UAE telecom issues

[Fox3snapshot]

guru....nice one!

Yep Abu Dhabs is definately shut down.

Oman telecoms did the same thing when they formed their 'independant' provider, most of the board members existed on both companies!

[puff m'call]

worked ok as of last night

[616200]

Guys..Just wondering..have you tried with any IP anonymizer..?

[popay]

Hi there, try out the ghost surf. Its quite a reliable software and you will get Etisalat server confused. It works with Qtel though it doesn't block skype for the time being.
Cheers.

[EGGW]

Skype working fine here!

EGGW

[ekpilot]

I know that you'll all wonder why, but I hav desided today to quit and look elsewhere. What has this got to do with skype? It's not that specifically, but having been nearly ran off SZ Highway tonight, got home to call missus, skype not working, so called on the expensive landline and realise that I really miss home. No VOIP allowed? Why not? In an Islamic country that is world famous for it's hookers and clubs? No sex outside of marriage unless it's with a Cyclone or York girlie? Come on, it's just pure blatant greed.This place has become a joke. As for the attitude of our Flight Ops managers, that's another story.

The loss of skype for me was just the straw that broke the camel's back. See you around guys, this ekpilot is going home.

[Fox3snapshot]

ekpilot,

Its funny you should feel that way. I have spoken to 3 others today that had the same thing to say after this latest rought. It really ticks me off with this Skype business as it was a sensational network, even with the gang here in UAE! I had just got the folks gripped up with it and certainly brings the world a lot closer and bareable.

There seems to be some sectors of the community that haven't been affected yet but everyone I have checked with here in the capital have lost it if they had turned off their PC's or logged out and then tried to log back in.

[donpizmeov]

Foxy,

Barnsey will make it all better fella.

Don

[mckaj]

I feel the same way and will be leaving once my training bond period is over.

Blocking VOIP is just one of those small things that makes it easier to leave.

[Fox3snapshot]

Don,
Ha! Only a miracle will save us now! The end is nigh......

Skype have responded on their website:

Is Skype blocked in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)?

It has been brought to our attention that our website has been blocked by one or more ISPs in the United Arab Emirates. Unfortunately there is very little Skype can do about this situation. The best course of action would be for you to speak to your ISP and ask why they are blocking Skype and request that they unblock our site. Unfortunately there are no alternatives to purchase SkypeOut credits other than Skype.com.

Quote "one or more of their ISP's" gfaw gfaw....if they only knew we only have one!

"request that they unblock the site"....yeah and like that is gonna happen!

[Cyberbird]

Well, Skype is working fine here high above the SZ-Road ...
and anyway - that IP-Protocol - Skype is using - can't be blocked at all,
and it can be also anonymized too easily - just slows down the connection speed a (unnoticable) bit ..

But anyhow - I'm leaving latest end of the year as well,
as i just had it: i don't get my leave, i've now got another 95-ish hours
with no time to recharge my batteries between those flights anymore,
also there's a significantly downturn in "crewmorale" on the (rarely) layovers noticable - as the 80% Chinese, Korean, Thai - whatever not westerly world CC (no racist offences though!) just disappear from check-in at the hotel until check-out next morning, as they're mostly cooking their noodles up in their rooms in the kettle, instead of having some kind of life ...
of course, that is, to save their (barely needed!) allowances - sad that is ... as the whole Emirates morale -not only among those massively resigning weserly CC - also for us upfront, is definitively spiralling downwards as well !!

[Ramboflyer 1]

Face it Cyberbird you would love an invite to a room noodle party , but im sure when your job is done you couldnt wait to get outta there , and tell all ya mates.............

[GLOC]

Cyber,

"anyway - that IP-Protocol - Skype is using - can't be blocked at all" ummm yep it can unfortunately.

As has been mentioned by Fox and Co. it hasn't effected everyone yet but they have definately blocked different sectors of the UAE. I guess as there is more than one server given time they will trash the whole lot. My undertsanding is that internet city and the customers off that server are not affected, as they had no firewall either (someone may clarify that???).

Either way I sympathize with your feeling on things at the moment....my logbook is filling faster than the 3 Gorges Dam in China! as is the the bucket of s*it!

[Scooter Rassmussin]

I remember when I was in Dubai sometimes Skype was u/s when the traffic on the internet was slow, with Etisalat its always slow, but sometimes unbearable.
As far as i understand Skype is a separate program and once installed only needs an active internet connection.
It cannot be blocked without blocking the rest of the internet.
Sure you cant get the home page , to top up your account but a friend or relative in a normal country can fix that..
If you need to download Skype type it into google there are other websites with the program that are not blocked as an example download.com
Any computer boffins care to explain how it may be blocked, and if there is a way around it....

[ZFT]

Originally Posted by Scooter Rassmussin

I remember when I was in Dubai sometimes Skype was u/s when the traffic on the internet was slow, with Etisalat its always slow, but sometimes unbearable.
As far as i understand Skype is a separate program and once installed only needs an active internet connection.
It cannot be blocked without blocking the rest of the internet.
Sure you cant get the home page , to top up your account but a friend or relative in a normal country can fix that..
If you need to download Skype type it into google there are other websites with the program that are not blocked as an example download.com
Any computer boffins care to explain how it may be blocked, and if there is a way around it....

We have been experiencing a rather zealous Ministry of Information and Public Morality blocking of websites here in BKK for a number of months.

Torpark is just one of many programmes you can download that overcomes this issue. Haven’t tried it with Skype but see no reason why it shouldn’t work, especially if only to top up accounts.

[alemaobaiano]

Originally Posted by Cyberbird

... and anyway - that IP-Protocol - Skype is using - can't be blocked at all,

True, and Skype will hunt for any available open port in the event that the preferred ones are blocked...... however, AFAIK there is only one Skype authentication server and that can be blocked, and this technique has been used successfully.

There is almost certainly a way round this, but Etisalat will eventually stop that one too. And so it goes on.

They don't have to block Skype 100%, just make it too much of a hassle for the average users to rely on it for calls.

[twieke]

Skype

Hi guys,

Just used Skype and it works fine. Have AlShamil broadband via cable in Jumeira. Just thought I'd let you know. As for the rest, ah well...

Greetings

[outhouse]

Try Privoxy, RealTunnel or Tor, as ways through firewalls that are used to block access. The Gateway Address for the Primary and Alternate can be changed along with the Port address in the set up pages of the phone system. All that is required is for the provider of the service to issue new Gateway addresses and Port numbers. This will bypass the block. However as these are known to the internet provider they can still be blocked, the local jingly computer shop may be able to help with updated settings as it looks like it will be ongoing. The Net to Phone system are very good regarding new gateway and port numbers and they work with other systems that allow you to edit them. This worked in Qatar last year when we had the same problem; the joy is that if it goes on long enough the internet grinds to a stop as they continue to restrict the access. Advice, check with the local jingly computer chaps and keep changing the access numbers, the dum Sh**ts will give up and all will return to normal. Been there and seen the video, and know how you feel.
Outhouse.

[slugmaster]

I'm on my leave and out of reach of the censors, so could you guys recommend me some good software to download or buy that can be used to avoid the provider's firewalls? What do you use, what do you think is the best?
I would like to be able to browse everywhere I like, to download anything I want, to use skype or other VOIP software, and I don't want them to know what I am doing... I dont care if it costs $200, as long as I'm able to do all the stuff I like... Any suggestions?

[busdriver22]

Bypass blocked sites by Etisalat

For those who have etisalat as a service provider, i have found a program that allows you to bypass all blocked sites. It works great, actually sends ur requests to different servers accross the world instead of sending it to the server here. All you have to do when you install it is select the mode that reads invisible. And that autmaticlally hides ur ip from etisalat.

You can download the program from this site:

http://www.ghost-surf.com

enjoy :-)