Vonage not active in Dubai, U.A.E. Probable ISP block.

Posts: 86 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 86

i'm beginning to think that the ports that are blocked could be:

5060 - 5070
10000 - 25000

Vonage uses both sets of these ports.. maybe the 50xx-6/7xxx ports are blocked? since both MSN and Yahoo use these ports for UDP.

they don't use anything 10,000+

Posts: 86 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 86

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Technology/10060697.html

they added the comments.. i guess they didn't believe my real name was jumanji Wink

not to mention i heavily used the words slob and scum.

Posts: 29 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 29

jumanji wrote:

i'm beginning to think that the ports that are blocked could be:

5060 - 5070
10000 - 25000

Vonage uses both sets of these ports.. maybe the 50xx-6/7xxx ports are blocked? since both MSN and Yahoo use these ports for UDP.

they don't use anything 10,000+

I think you are right - i wonder at what point they are going to ublock it - my wife is giving me so much trouble as she can't phone home!

Posts: 59 · Full Forum Member Joined: Aug 16, 2006 Posts: 59

I made a post out of frustration! haah

Posts: 59 · Full Forum Member Joined: Aug 16, 2006 Posts: 59

I bet you they do not publish my comments...

anyways, I am getting the same frustration out of my family who rely on this Voip service. 2+dhs/minute is just ridiculous. thats nearly 200-300 dhs a day in calling!

I had an isp in florida for many years, lol if they need help bypassing etisalats block they can ask me, just hurry the hell up!!!!!!

Posts: 86 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 86

the internet here is already weak sauce.. but to block a free zone.. that's just down right mean! Twisted Evil

i have family visiting next week.. this better be working by then as i want to give them the luxury of calling home..

keep the updates coming guys.. i'm about to give my call to dic.

Posts: 29 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 29

jumanji wrote:

the internet here is already weak sauce.. but to block a free zone.. that's just down right mean! Twisted Evil

i have family visiting next week.. this better be working by then as i want to give them the luxury of calling home..

keep the updates coming guys.. i'm about to give my call to dic.

Let us know what they say - I am planning to give them a call later on today.

I would be interested to know if anyone gets a manager on the phone - everytime I ask they are unavailable.

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 20

I'm stuck in PA these days (weather **** there! all you lucky FL guys have it best Wink

) , parents live here so got Vonage from them many months ago.

Ok, so i've recapped on the entire issue:
1. Etisalat begins to deliberately and openly block Voip services (inc Vonage) a couple of months ago
2. DIC sent notices around Aug 12-13 notifying users that certain "changes" would be made to the net services, later it was revealed that it was only to regulate broadband speed.
3. Throughout the escapade, DIC techs have always insisted they DO NOT BLOCK anything. This is further reinforced by the recent Gulf News article, and making a press statement has more credibility than simply coaxing users over the phone. So, maybe they really didn't block anything intentionally? and if that is their ideology as an ISP then they're on our side.
4. Upon preliminary investigation, DIC now believes Etisalat's backend is to be blamed. And that could make sense providing DIC does depend on Etisalat. Because if DIC gets their Internet from them then i'm sure they get their telephone service too. And if DIC international calls have dropped because of Vonage use then Etisalat (the telecom wholesaler to DIC) is also losing big business.
5. Now the only two probable causes for this dilemma are:
a) Etisalat is being sneaky and have done something on the backend that DIC is not aware of. If this is the case, DIC will fight back and they'll need customer feedback to fuel that investigation (so I urge all to do their part)
b) the recent "changes" must have unintentionally created certain blocks. I'm no tech super expert, but maybe the hardware/software they've recently engaged is creating such problems and they're trying to figure out how to resolve it

If anyone has other theories please let us know...

Also, does anyone have an ACTIVE Vonage device running over VPN? How reliable/stable is it? Should I invest more in getting it to work or trying it out?

thanks!

Posts: 59 · Full Forum Member Joined: Aug 16, 2006 Posts: 59

mohthepro -

Hey man, call me at 050 --- ---- i know of a simple workaround b not using vpn... certain devices from Vonage work here, with etisalat and with tecom, i dont want to announce the name, b/c big brother will probably read this and block that too, but its been fine even before when etisalat blocks it... its not a wired Vonage connection...

Posts: 59 · Full Forum Member Joined: Aug 16, 2006 Posts: 59

isnt this grounds for a lawsuit to Tecom, ive got a strong contact at clyde and co, i will call her today and ask her... im honestly getting really frustrated.