Will Truphone work in Dubai?

[matthew.lewis2]

Hi, new user alert!!! (well, nearly new user, my E70 gets delivered sometime today)

My wife and I are emmigrating from the UK to Dubai later this month. I will be taking my Netgear DG834G router with me.

Will Truphone work in Dubai? It is just that I have read reports that VOIP is/is sometimes blocked out there?

Many thanks in anticipation,

Matthew Lewis

[daveswatson]

Hi Matthew,

Good news, Truphone itself will work anywhere in the world!

Also if it works through your router here in the UK you should have no problems using Truphone through the same router in Dubai.

I am however, unsure if there are any laws/regulations, governing WiFi usage over there. Your new ISP would probably be able to provide you with that information.

Kind Regards

[DavidM]

Will Truphone work in Dubai? It is just that I have read reports that VOIP is/is sometimes blocked out there?Good question. I've heard the same so I think it will be a case of try and it and see. If you do have problems then please raise a support request and we'll see if we can help resolve them.

[daveswatson]

Have done a bit of reading, it appears there is only one ISP in Dubai, Etisalat.

It also appears that Etisalat do have a habit of blocking VoIP. Read More (http://emirateseconomist.blogspot.com/2006/10/users-bemoan-loss-of-net-phones-in-uae.html)

:(

[matthew.lewis2]

Good question. I've heard the same so I think it will be a case of try and it and see. If you do have problems then please raise a support request and we'll see if we can help resolve them.


I have found this: - http://www.mathaba.net/wiki/Skype_UAE

If VOIP in Dubai is a problem could this be of any use?

Regards

Matt

[daveswatson]

If the software in Matthew's article works for Skype thats good news.

If correct it means Etisalat are only blocking http sites and not data streams or ports, and if this is the case Truphone will work :)

[Carl_Truphone]

But please do be sure that you are not breaking any local laws

[stufried]

Much of the information contained in those articles is dated and incorrect. Things date very quickly in Dubai. That is just the UAE.

First, there are two ISPs in the UAE -- Etisilat and Du. Du presently only operates in the Free Trade Zone. Etisilat operates in the rest of the country. Starting next month, the companies will be permitted to compete in each other's territories.

Second, Etisilat is blocking everything, not just websites. Etitilsat blocks SIP and Skype protocols. I don't know about IAX. Du blocks SIP, but not Skype.

Third, there will be changes to the law on VOIP very shortly. They may, however, be inadequate. There will be some legalized providers, but it will only be ones which agree to regulation by the TRA. I don't know how much people will save on money with these providers.

Fourth, Etislat is constantly searching forums for ways around their blocks and then shutting them down. If you have a solution, you don't want to share it. You will not be helping anyone. I posted a link to a UK GSM company with supercheap roaming in the UAE and they got their roaming privileges cancelled within the week. Solutions posted on vonage-forum were blocked the same week. Labor is cheap in the UAE and they can afford to pay people to sit around and surf all day.