Daisy92

My husband has just moved to Dubai and we were happily using Skype until it suddenly stopped working. He has heard it's not allowed to be used is this true?

ctfc

Yes it's true. Google is your friend.

Daisy92

Can google be used like skype? How?

ctfc

Put "dubai skype" into Google and see what comes up

Daisy92

Thanks for the info, will have a read.

Millhouse

I'll be helpful... get a VPN (costs about 2 quid a month) and you are away. If you buy one based out of the UK you can also watch english telly on iplayer

Daisy92

Thanks EM,

I have had a brief look inbetween working. So I should purchase one which is NOT UK based so we can use iplayer etc. Would we need a VPN to use facebook and Twitter etc?

Are all VPN's much of a muchness or are some better than others? This is a whole new territory for me.

Thanks for the advice.

Millhouse

Yup, they are pretty much all the same. You will find most are US based (the cheaper ones) which means no iplayer.

So to be clear if you want to see iplayer then you need a UK based VPN.

ctfc

Daisy - a quick explanation for you.

A VPN (virtual private network) is a type of link between your computer and another computer somewhere else which is encrypted ie. the signal is not readable by anyone else, and so it cannot be blocked as being 'inappropriate'.

Your husband would be best to buy a subscription from a provider to a VPN where the other end of the connection is in the UK if he also wants to use BBC iPlayer but otherwise, ie. if just for skype or other reasons, it really doesn't make much difference if US or UK at the other end - you'll see which country the other end of the connection is will be called eg. a 'UK IP address' for the UK

The names I gave you on pm are both reliable providers but their own sites are blocked in the UAE so you can subscribe form home and then email your husband the connection details they provide for you.

Noha

You can use skype and everything else which is "blocked" in the UAE if you first install Hotspot Shield.

Jim Smith

So now everyone knows, including those who block sites from being used!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Millhouse

come on... they know already. The local guy in our team insisted that IT install hotspot shield on his laptop to get through the company and etishite proxies!

Jim Smith

Sure, was only repeating the usual cry!!

OneBrightStar

Sorry not really helping OP but could someone send me details of reliable UK VPN provider and hotspot shield please?

Thanks

Millhouse

http://tinyurl.com/dc8gbg