Skype & Internet phones??
Nov 23rd 2007, 9:02 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 34
Skype & Internet phones??
Hi all,
I'm looking at buying an internet phone so i can call home at skype rates - has anyone had success doing this? I did read that skype is banned by the local ISP?
I was suprised how cheap it is to rin back to the UK on a local mobile - is it not worth the fuss of skype?
I'm looking at buying an internet phone so i can call home at skype rates - has anyone had success doing this? I did read that skype is banned by the local ISP?
I was suprised how cheap it is to rin back to the UK on a local mobile - is it not worth the fuss of skype?
Nov 23rd 2007, 10:53 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 550
Re: Skype & Internet phones??
Hi all,
I'm looking at buying an internet phone so i can call home at skype rates - has anyone had success doing this? I did read that skype is banned by the local ISP?
I was suprised how cheap it is to rin back to the UK on a local mobile - is it not worth the fuss of skype?
I'm looking at buying an internet phone so i can call home at skype rates - has anyone had success doing this? I did read that skype is banned by the local ISP?
I was suprised how cheap it is to rin back to the UK on a local mobile - is it not worth the fuss of skype?
Nov 24th 2007, 4:11 am
#4
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait - Sringboard to Djibouti
Posts: 305
Re: Skype & Internet phones??
MM is right - skype is blocked by Etisalat. We have similar problems in Kuwait. There are ways around it and if the calls using local phone network are cheap then it may not be worthwhile. However, my Skype is set up for the UK so call costs are based on UK Skype charges - it is as if my internet phone is based in the UK. You can set it up for other countries too - for example if you call usa a lot then set yourself up with a USA skype number and all your calls there will be local.
The way round it is to use a VPN and I don't know which one works in UAE. There is a cost to this and MM is right in being reserved. If you make 50 calls to the UK and lose a pound each time then you lose fifty pounds. If it costs fifty pound to set up the VPN then you break even. The cost of hassle can be enormous though.
The way round it is to use a VPN and I don't know which one works in UAE. There is a cost to this and MM is right in being reserved. If you make 50 calls to the UK and lose a pound each time then you lose fifty pounds. If it costs fifty pound to set up the VPN then you break even. The cost of hassle can be enormous though.
Nov 24th 2007, 5:03 am
#5
Soupy twist
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,271
Re: Skype & Internet phones??
There are two ISPs, and which one you use depends entirely on where you live (although supposedly that's going to be changing... one day. Eventually. Maybe). One ISP has a heavy censorship policy, the other doesn't.
Originally Posted by Dago
The way round it is to use a VPN and I don't know which one works in UAE... If it costs fifty pound to set up the VPN then you break even. The cost of hassle can be enormous though
Nov 24th 2007, 6:59 am
#6
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Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 550
Re: SSH Tunnelling (was Skype & Internet phones??)
There's no competition in internet access here - this is Dubai, where things *look* capitalist and consumer-oriented on the surface, but in reality, actually aren't. It's all about monopolies here. Well, there *are* two separate telecoms operators now, but they're both owned by the government and are forbidden from competing against each other on price. You get the idea.
There are two ISPs, and which one you use depends entirely on where you live (although supposedly that's going to be changing... one day. Eventually. Maybe). One ISP has a heavy censorship policy, the other doesn't.
There are two ISPs, and which one you use depends entirely on where you live (although supposedly that's going to be changing... one day. Eventually. Maybe). One ISP has a heavy censorship policy, the other doesn't.
Here is a potential solution for the geeks among you. I don't think Secure Shell (SSH) access is blocked from Dubai as I have managed to access my shell account (in London) from Dubai International Airport. You could get yourself an SSH account outside the UAE and tunnel all of your Internet traffic via that server.
Here are a few links to help you on your way:
- Free shell accounts (to find an account that matches your needs)
- HOWTO: Secure Firefox and IM with PuTTY (how to set up the tunnel)
- How do you force Skype to use proxy? (how to configure Skype to use the tunnel)
Good luck!
--paj
Last edited by Johnsyweb; Nov 24th 2007 at 7:10 am. Reason: Added point three to the list to make it more useful!
Nov 24th 2007, 3:07 pm
#7
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait - Sringboard to Djibouti
Posts: 305
Re: Skype & Internet phones??
Nice one - and thanks
Nov 24th 2007, 5:54 pm
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Dubai
Posts: 13,547
Re: Skype & Internet phones??
PC to PC by Skype works fine in Dubai. Its just when you want to call a phone that ist blocked.
Use a VPN as suggested and it will work no problem.
Use a VPN as suggested and it will work no problem.
Nov 24th 2007, 5:56 pm
#9
live life to the max
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: third rock from the sun
Posts: 1,989
Nov 24th 2007, 6:01 pm
#11
live life to the max
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: third rock from the sun
Posts: 1,989
Dec 4th 2007, 3:42 pm
#14
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 17
Re: Skype & Internet phones??
I use VPN Services too from VpnAccounts (dot) com. Currently i believe the price is 14 USD
Big saving compared to using land lined to place calls@!#!$!%
Big saving compared to using land lined to place calls@!#!$!%
