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

Posts: 12 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 08, 2006 Posts: 12

varora1 wrote:

Hi, Vonage is also blocked in Dubai, it got blocked last friday and in sharjah on Suday.

I downloaded web tunnel from primedius.com and installed on my computer and can access the Vonage web site but can not get Vonage phone to work.

I also downloaded Vonage softphone and tried to make it work with webtunnel but it does not, how did you make your Vonage softphone work ? which software did you download ?

I am useing another sevrice whcih is similar to Vonage not as good, but works, if intrested then write back !

Hi varara1,

Could you please tell me if Vonage softphone is working for you? And also please please tell me which another service you are using? I am really interested, so please reply.

Thank you.
bobcat.

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:04 am Post subject:

SSH is similar to VPN in that it creates a secure tunnel between two machines, BUT it is only for a single port. Think of it as a supercharged port forwarding scheme. Similar to many routers, the "incoming" port doesn't have do be the same as the actual port #. Usually SSH is used to secure insecure things or in an insecure environment, such as sending/receiving e-mail, using telnet, or doing this sort of activity on a wireless/public network.

SSH has a nice visual explanation at: http://www.ssh.com/support/documentation/online/ssh/winhelp/32/Tunneling_Explained.html

O'Reilly has a tutorial at: http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/wireless/2001/02/23/wep.html

Similar to other other methods, this requires that you have a server in a VoIP-friendly country to hand-off the traffic. Unfortunately there really isn't much of a "magic bullet" that can be used client-side only that I'm aware of.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:16 am Post subject:

VonageTPA wrote:

Unfortunately there really isn't much of a "magic bullet" that can be used client-side only that I'm aware of.

Thanks TPA. I assume you are replying to me.

Thats just my point. I am having a hard time (although I am sure you see it) how SSH could be a usable solution here, for the layman or others.

Interesting concept, but how could it be deployed is beyond me.

Your thoughts please.

Posts: 12 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 08, 2006 Posts: 12

dconnor wrote:

VonageTPA wrote:

I don't think a simple proxy will work for Voip. You'll need to do a VPN or SSH tunnel.

Hey VonageTPA:

Understanding what a VPN is.

And I am understanding what SSH is (although most others might not, or even have access to it, as I understand it)...

But what is SSH tunnel?

Hi Vonage TPA,

Could you please tell me about VPN and SSH tunnel and how to get it? Please respond to this mail.

Thank you.
Bocat.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 08, 2006 Posts: 2

"

varora1 wrote:

The service may work in new dubai as there service is provdied by Dubai Internet city where Voip is not blocked.

May be when Vonage will actually loose the customers in dubai / UAE and that will effect in there sales figures then they will wake up to this to change the UTB ports.

May be when all of us in dubai / UAE woudl presusre Vonage to change the ports then they may do it or else when we disconnect the service then they may change the ports but by that time will be too late as then when UAE service provider will re open the ports they woudl have launched there own Voip service by beg 2007.

I have 5 Vonage nos and i shall be sending all of them back and getting the service discoonected if tehy dont act fast.

"

I sugest as a final try before disconnecting Vonage to send emails and call Vonage or ask your families in the US to do so. To help ypu, I am putting some email addresses below , as well as a quick draft letter that I am asking you to send it , but please first personalize it , cut or add from it, or suggest a better stronger one if possible , detaisl below:

CEO, Michael F. Snyder : Michael.Synder@vonage.com

EVP for Technology Louis A. Mamakos : Louis.mamkos@vonage .com

President for Vonage America : Michael Tribolet : Michael.Tribolet@vonage.com

Cheif Strategist Jeffrey A. Citron : Jeffery.Citron@vonage.com

Dear,

I am writing to you regarding a problem that 100’s of Vonage value customers are facing recently. I myself own 6 Vonage accounts, all are registered in California used by my direct family, my Mom, two sisters and my brother plus the sixth personal account , that I am using overseas (particularly in United Arab Emirates, UAE). I was really happy and satisfied from your services as well all my family. I have all these accounts working perfectly since more than 6 months and basically I pay Vonage more than $150 per month.

Recently one of the ISP in UAE (United Arab Emirates) has blocked Vonage technically. I personally knowsmore than 100 US citizens who are using your service to call back home.
We are seeking Vonage technical help to find a solution to this issue. This can be done easily without any direct involvement from your side. All what we need from Vonage is to solve this issue by a very minor help from your side i.e. you can easily solve the problem by changing the UTB ports, as there are many ports available ( which need a very small effort to do some extra configuration, which until now, we see clearly that Vonage does not care for and does not want to bother to help your sincere customers). We are facing this problem since more than 3 weeks and I personally will give Vonage few more days and if not solved, I will have no choice but to disconnect all my lines ( and this apply to many others). Please note that this act come from the monopoly ISP in UAE and is clearly directed against Vonage as other Voip services offered by other companies is working perfectly. Right now, I am using Skype with no problems and I start hearing from other friends who are using small Voip operators in US and east Europe.

So, again we do not want any direct involvement from your side, just help by changing the ports. All our accounts are registered in the US and we pay you by US credit cards. Moreover, the service is available in some parts in UAE which are serviced by another ISP. It has nothing to do with any government or legal issue as all what you will do is a small minor configuration in your services that will allow us to get dial tones.

Of course, Vonage can ignore this request and claim that you do not offer the service outside US. However this mean that you will loose eventually 1000’s of accounts that other competitors will pick , and forever. Also, please note again that all our accounts are registered and being paid in the US. Failure to help us, will result in other ISP in other regions to be encouraged to do the same , which will mean more loss to Vonage. We really value your services and we are looking forward for your help. You can email me back if you need technical help to figure the problem, but your technical team are able to connect to the phone adapters, but we are unable to register the adapters with your services to get the dial tones?? Please help or let us know if you will not

Posts: 1125 · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:53 am Post subject:

I wouldn't send that letter, personally.

Posts: 533 · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:36 am Post subject:

navydavy2001 wrote:

I wouldn't send that letter, personally.

Me either. Vonage is not going to change the "UTB ports", whatever you think that means. If you mean change the SIP and RTP audio ports, they're not going to do that either. There are other techniques your ISP can use detect SIP in a packet other than the port.

You say in your draft that Skype works fine. So what's the problem? Cancel Vonage and use Skype. Problem solved.

Posts: 533 · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:36 am Post subject:

dconnor wrote:

VonageTPA wrote:

Unfortunately there really isn't much of a "magic bullet" that can be used client-side only that I'm aware of.

Thanks TPA. I assume you are replying to me.

Thats just my point. I am having a hard time (although I am sure you see it) how SSH could be a usable solution here, for the layman or others.

Interesting concept, but how could it be deployed is beyond me.

Your thoughts please.

I'm not sure it could be used. RFPs specify SSH to run over tcp, but could also be used over any other reliable protocol. SInce SIP and RTP audio are udp based, and are hence inherently unreliable, it would lead me to beleive an SSH tunnel is not viable.

Posts: 12 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 08, 2006 Posts: 12

[quote="VonageTPA"]

bobcat wrote:

varora1 wrote:

Yeah, I too have to disconnect vanage if they didnt act fast to do something for us to use their service. Why do we have to pay everymonth when we couldnt use Vonage?

Vonage makes it quite clear that they don't guarantee service outside of the USA (for that matter, they disclaim providing service in the USA) and you're on your own. It's illegal for Vonage to operate in a handful of countries because it puts the gov't owned telco at a disadvantage. There's only so much that Vonage can do. When you're in a foreign country, you may be a U.S. citizen, but the rules & laws of the USA stopped covering you once you stepped off US soil.

Hi,

When I ordered Vonage adapter I told the Vonage person that i am not goiing to use it in US but she told me I can use it anywhere in the world and it will work. And also she gave me examples like Vonage works well in Japan, India etc... Then only I ordrered. Now we cant even call them often as we can't dial their toll free number. More over if we call,they put us in hold for hours together. So we have to pay a heavy telephone bill.

Is there any other way we can contact them? They dont respond email. When we write complain email they send their products promotion email. Really its funny.

bobcat.

Posts: 12 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 08, 2006 Posts: 12

bobcat wrote:

varora1 wrote:

Hi, Vonage is also blocked in Dubai, it got blocked last friday and in sharjah on Suday.

I downloaded web tunnel from primedius.com and installed on my computer and can access the Vonage web site but can not get Vonage phone to work.

I also downloaded Vonage softphone and tried to make it work with webtunnel but it does not, how did you make your Vonage softphone work ? which software did you download ?

I am useing another sevrice whcih is similar to Vonage not as good, but works, if intrested then write back !

Hi varara1,

Could you please tell me if Vonage softphone is working for you? And also please please tell me which another service you are using? I am really interested, so please reply.

Thank you.
bobcat.

Hi varora1,

Please tell me which other service you are using instead of Vonage. I am interested in it.
bobcat.