A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Thursday, April 1, 2010

No Skype for You, UAE

Surprise, surprise. The UAE's telecom regulators have limited Voice over Internet Protocol calling to the three authorized providers in the Emirates, and have excluded services such as, and most obviously, Skype. I'm sure most telecoms in most countries would love to do the same, but in the Middle East, popular pressure doesn't sway the state-approved monopolies or oligopolies.

Probably no real surprises here; Verizon and AT&T and Sprint would do the same if they could get away with it; just thought I'd mention it.

3 comments:

Abu 'Arqala said...

This fix was suggested several years ago. Not sure if it still works.

http://illuminati.wordpress.com/2006/08/24/howto-5-simple-steps-to-get-skype-working-again-in-the-uae/

Abu 'Arqala said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Abu 'Arqala said...

Post corrected for correct link.

Here's another alternative.

http://www.how-to-hide-ip.info/2009/09/11/bypass-skype-and-website-blocks-in-dubai-qatar-turkey-kuwait-and-uae-with-banana-vpn/