Just heard from a regular reader that Batelco has blocked the popular Skype service. Can anyone confirm if this is true please? And if anyone knows any way around this block, please post it!
Batelco you should be ashamed of yourselves, cornering markets is a lot easier than innovation and you have been doing an awful lot of the former and stifling the latter.
If this is true, we should all write to the TRA to complain against Batelco’s unscrupulous methods.
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Skype blocked?
No they didnt i was just talking to my friend throug it .. but they will block it trust me.
hashem 🙂
Skype blocked?
i was wondering why it wont call!!!
Skype blocked?
Off topic, but congrats on the Bahraini football team advancing to the play-offs. Facing either Trindad or Guatemala, you should have little problem making it to Germany. – an Iranian reader
Skype blocked?
Perhaps this is not about greed.
What “friendly” big country would likely be adverse to people in this part of the world being able to conduct telephone conversations over an encrypted service? Unlike Batelco and other services where it is easy to intercept?
Skype blocked?
http://viewfrombahrain.blogspot.com/2005/10/skype-blocked.html
Re: Skype blocked?
Did you check your settings, your connection etc? I think we’re all very trigger happy that even if there is a technical fault the first thing we do is blame someone that they have blocked the service!
Skype blocked?
You can probably get round this using a IP service, when I had a problem with our users hooking up to email we thought it was because of blocking software. We used the http://www.no-ip.com service as the ISP was blocking port 25. Batelco (I really detest that word) might be blocking it another way, I’ll have a look into it and see if there is a solution….
I can’t see the logic in Batelco doing this as I don’t think they offer a service like this, I do suggest you try one of the many other services for VOIP as surely they can’t block them all….
Re: Skype blocked?
Thanks for the explanation. Whoever blocked the Skype ports has done us no favours whatsoever and HE frustrated an international effort in helping not only the victims of this disaster, but also has frustrated the coordination efforts of Katrina Help. Bahrain, being central across many timezones IS used by various releaf organisations as a central hub for coordinating these efforts, and almost all efforts are being routed through Skype.
Strav is going to post exactly how they are using this service in a few minutes and you will see the level of use it is being put to.
I am sure that someone will realise the enormity of this mistake and get the ports open again. The perceived revenue lost through usage of this service is far outweighed by the enormous good will it will generate in helping hundreds of thousands of people who are in dire and unfortunate circumstances.
Please. For the love of humanity, if the ports are actually blocked, help us unblock them. Call whoever is necessary to issue the necessary instructions.
Thank you.
Skype blocked?
The KatrinaHelp project (a Grass Roots effort) went into action shortly after the killer hurricane, brought to life by willing volunteers across the globe. It was put together by volunteers who made the promise of the Internet felt in December 2004 with the SEA-EAT (South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami) project.
At KatrinaHelp we used tools like Wiki, VoIP and blogs to get things done. Our virtual call centre was powered by Skype (http://share.skype.com/blog/skype_around_the_world/katrinahelp_wiki) which donated us IN/OUT lines and Connectotel in the UK who enabled sms 2web/web2sms on those same lines so that contact with areas that could only be contacted via sms.
We worked with several volunteers across the globe towards enabling communication. Calls for help went across the web and even though there was no dearth of people willing to help, the disorderly state of affairs didn’t allow for much useful communication to take place. Twelve hours into the disaster, the communications infrastructure in New Orleans and surrounding areas pretty much ceased to exist.
I worked with both SATERN ham radio operators and amateur operators, along with rescue crews and volunteer networks. Thirty six hours into the disaster, the project tapped into VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Dina Mehta, Phil Wolff from SkypeJournal (http://www.skypejournal.com/blog/archives/2005/09/skyping_katrina.php) (a team blog contributed to by Skype users), Internet2 in Michigan with our network administrators in Amsterdam and I got together to set up a virtual call centre.
Within 48 hours, a complete virtual communications network was set up in New Orleans and Louisiana, along with volunteer caller hubs in Alabama, Mississippi, Chicago, New York, Toronto as well as internationally. We had the first communications link into the Astrodome and the rest of Louisiana via our Skype relief lines About four to five hours after our comm links were functional, did Vonage and other VoIP providers start doing the same — which was encouraging because it was a step towards taking wireless communications to the next level and aiding in disaster relief operations.
Thanks to the many communication experts that have been providing us with assistance through real time ER scanners and ham radio communication with satellite links, we now have access to crucial and critical information as well as the ability to coordinate with all stakeholders involved in relief operations. 12 hours before Rita hit, we were monitoring Hurricane Rita. We got a communication network of people and resources on standby which meant we were able deploy assistance and aid ASAP, when needed.
Since the quake occurred in Pakistan/India, we (QuakeHelp) are having a similar skype set up but have expanded to using Open Source IP PBX – (Asterisk Linux) servers since much of the relief communications in the field is limited to SMS and SatPhones. The current communications system we have in place follows the ARC Model- Alert Retrieval Cache used during the tsunami (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4149977.stm) crisis. Our Skype IN/OUT lines are providing the web2sms part while 2 mobile providers on the ground do are doing the termination.
We have 3 people from the QuakeHelp team as direct communicators with ICRC-Geneva, Islamic Relief, SUNGI and SAR teams/aid agencies through UNDAC – VOC from New Jersey, Mumbai and Bahrain, via the Skype IN lines which does the task of inter-communication within agencies in terms of Sit Reps, Maps, Needs/Offers of Assistance, chopper availabilities, etc. Additionally our system will soon be hooked into IDP camps (with support by LUGs) in Pakistan and India with a post-Katrina VOIP/SatComm provider who’s in the region to provide Internet connectivity to camps, hospitals and other vital locations.
SMS via our skype lines current aids us in monitoring/aiding needs for mobile hospitals, trapped victims whose locations are forwarded to relevant USAR teams and agencies, shelters and relief supplies. Trapped victims are notified about the service through their providers with instructions and the SOS code sent to them as a sms. When they send an sms to the number provided, their location comes up on the system along with relevant mapping coordinates; message routed to SAR team or agency in area and follow-up monitored thought the broadcast list. Victims are then directly put in touch with the relief organizations and practically anyone else who would like to help with their needs.
How’s skype being used here? Since it’s a 2-way communications system, our skype relief lines are dedicated to providing the web2sms – broadcast list. Broadcast list consists of various teams subscribed to receive alerts corresponding to their tasks, Reuters’ AlertNet NGO update screens, wiki sections which are categorized for transparency purposes and open-access information. The only times the Skype OUT lines are used for actual voice transmissions is to contact teams who man the skype lines located in Amsterdam, New Jersey, Mumbai, Islamabad, etc. Additionally as soon as internet connectivity is set up at camps, mostly in the Northern Areas and Uri, SkypeOUT lines will be used to contact IDP camp managers, medical coordinators for each mobile hospital and ground staff – mainly – for the relay of updates/and status checks on various relief concerns.
An urgent request to whoever has blocked skype connectivity from Bahrain to please restore it at your earliest and if Skype ports are not actually blocked but is a technical fault, please resolve this immediately. From a disaster relief perspective it’s placing a unnecessary restriction on coordination and communication to a certain extent with all stakeholders involved in the disaster response. I along with the QuakeHelp team will really appreciate if someone could do the needed in restoring skype connectivity from Bahrain as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Angelo Embuldeniya
SEA-EAT / QuakeHelp Team
quakehelp.blogspot.com
quakehelp.asiaquake.org
quakehelp@gmail.com
Skype blocked?
According to Batelco, they are NOT to blame! And before you start laughing, there might be truth in it. After speaking to a couple of Inet Support people, they all had the same answer: TRA! Yes, the TRA has made them block the service, and you can know why here under the headline “TRA’s Position with respect to the carriage of Voice Calls using the Internet Protocol”:
http://www.tra.org.bh/en/licensing.asp
– Hussain
Re: Skype blocked?
Thank you Hussain, that puts the issue to bed:
Using regulations to limit VoIP is a good trick that I’m sure Batelco is lauding.
Moreover, I’m sure both the TRA and Batelco have selected this particular time to block the service which was freely available, as their direct contribution to supporting the victims of the Asian Earth Quake, especially as they should already know that friends and families as well as major aid organisations have come to rely on this service to get in touch and coordinate efforts. I cite an email I received from one of these international helpers:
I’m sure tens of thousands of victims are praying for the continued prosperity of both Batelco and the TRA. Well done guys.
Skype blocked?
Hi.. cool website
Let’s make this clear: Voice of Internet Calls is LEGAL. Skype is Voice of Internet, it uses the Voice over IP technology however on PUBLIC INTERNET LINES. Hence the quality is inferior (technically) to real-time voice calls. Therefore NO NEED FOR A LICENSE.
I would be shocked if Batelco played it well and provided a reason to the TRA to Block it. The licensees who are in Bahrain applied for the sake of using Voice over IP on DEDICATED DATA LINES, not Public Internet Lines, hence better quality better connections etc… THAT you need a license for naturally.
Somebody STOP these legality crap that Batelco is pushing (if they did) to the TRA. I wish if MORE people wrote to the TRA about their views. Anyone reading this and is complaining about Skype, PLEASE email or write to the TRA.
http://www.tra.org.bh
Skype blocked?
Batelco is going down the drain.. that’s sooooo desperate of them to block it
I would pay anything right about now for a new ISP. Orbit is like 120BD for 512K connection.. It’s well worth it rather than going through block-skype crap.. and slowwwww lines..
I know it’s a sadd situation.. but Batelco has done ENOUGH
Skype blocked?
In a business world, only the fit and finest survive. If Batelco is really blocking Skype, they are just frogs in the well ! Innovate and succeed, like some has suggested. Skype’s excels should cast some doubts in Batelco’s own technology status or business competitiveness. Excutives of Batelco, I certainly hope you guys are watching these comments (or do you not know how to use computers) and face up to the ever changing business environment and challenges.
Skype blocked?
Ok Fair Enough… Batelco Did this… but is there any way around it?
Re: Skype blocked?
yay, i just checked and i can now login to skype again!
kudos to the TRA for acting on the complaints promptly (if it was actually them who made batelco unblock it)
— chan’ad
Skype blocked?
As far as I know the ISP blocked Skype as they own the link (or we are in the transit of transfer of ownership) , with out the knowledge of the TRA, the ISP will unblock Skype port soon.
As I see it sort of conflict of interest between both.
Bin Shehab
Skype blocked?
Today TRA advised that they are investigating numerous complaints about the blockage of Skype.
That seems to me to indicate that they have not blocked Skype.
Isn’t the rule (of law) here in the Kingdom that the TRA tells an ISP what to do? That is, that the TRA would have to agree to a blockage before it was done?
Add your voice to the list of complainers!!!!
Skype blocked?
only skypeout (pc2phone) is blocked. chat and pc2pc is still working.
Skype blocked?
low and behold, i just tried calling london and it worked !! hmm..
– Hussain
Skype blocked? – Not any more!
Am able to access our skypeIn/Out lines once again where both sms/calls are possible – outbound and inbound as well. Many thanks to all those who took the initiative of resolving this issue, it’s much appreciated, not just myself, but by many others on the ground elsewhere.
Thanks,
Angelo Embuldeniya
SEA-EAT / QuakeHelp Team
quakehelp.blogspot.com
quakehelp.asiaquake.org
quakehelp@gmail.com
Skype blocked?
Not blocked working .. ask me how ? STUPID TRA !!
i want to check if there is some body have blocked me from his skype contact lets.
please inform me if you can help me.
with my best regards
nadia