Loss of VoIP in Qatar

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 10, 2005 Posts: 8

bmardini wrote:

Did any one lose their VOIP service in Qatar? If you did, we need to get to gather and figure a way to resolve this problem. I think Qtel (ADSL provider in Qatar) is blocking the VOIP protocol to stop people from using this service, and monopolies the international call rates. We no longer can contact our families in the states, can any one help? Embarassed

I have the same problem and this makes me feel like if we are prisoners here in QATAR. Before coming here to this country, I have checked if they have high speed and DSL facilities, therefore I have made my decision that I will be still connected to home (USA) where my wife and my kids are. I have called QTEL, and the response was that they have a technical problem and they are working on fixing it. The problem is not fixed and I am with the suggestion of calling the US Embassy, The Internet provider here in Qatar is dealing with their costumer in a very strange relationship as if we are slaves to them. This is not acceptable and even if they decided to block or change any service, they need to give us the option either to accept or leave. I have made my decision already to leave the services and cut off the internet if DSL is fully functional. Please count me in if there is a list of emails to be sent to the Embassy.

Posts: 39

Dear colleagues,

A friend of mine sends me this link from Vonage talking about some countries blocking VOIP protocol such as Telmex of Mexico. They also mention Qatar as one the countries that have one telephone company monopoly on the telephone market.

vonage-forum.com/article1795.html" target="_blank">http://www.vonage-forum.com/article1795.html

If this is true, we sure can talk to our Ambassador to pressure the Qatari Government to stop Qtel Practices.

Thanks,

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 11, 2005 Posts: 2

Count me in. I am glad I found this thread... I had been trying to deal with Vonage Customer Service (not easy) to see if it was something wrong with my PAP2.

Ok, so what can we do? I am ready to write to the Embassy, or to Qtel or to whomever it takes to get in back.

FYI, I also know a lot of other people using other VOIP systems that are without service. Maybe we should all threaten to cancel Qtel.

Keep me informed on what everybody is doing.

Thanks,

Jesse

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 11, 2005 Posts: 1

All,

I called Qtel 3 times till now ,every time i got different answer "its blocked , no we are having problems ... " ,any way the only thing technically is find a VPN provider ,that should be discussed off line ,for the mean time we need to start a petition and send it to the embassy ,and let them voice our concern to qtel or whoever ,i dent think its a good thing for a country that want to invite busnises and compete with other Gulf states in attracting proffesionals and tourism and have censured internet for VOIP ,for us to be disconnected from our families ,and cant conduct any busnince over the phone ,the days of monopoly is gone forever ,just open it up

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 11, 2005 Posts: 1

All,

I spoke with QTEL like everyone else here, and what I was told yesterday was that, yes, VOIP in all its forms are being blocked. When I asked the lady why I had gotten a different answer from at least 4 different people, she told me that they had been told to lie Rolling Eyes

Anyway, I would agree that it cant hurt to try the letter writing idea, though I doubt that they are going to have much luck changing the way a quasi government owned Telco company operates.

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Dec 11, 2005 Posts: 16

Hi,
I am not using Vonnnage but a VOIP operator from europe and its also being blocked. (time out signal) so far only skype and MSN messenger work but I do not know how much more.
Be realistic QTEL does not care less if 10-100 people cancel their service . These people do not care about $ as we do. The only true solution might be a letter to the embassy if they are willing to do something!

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 11, 2005 Posts: 5

Came back from holiday and found out VOIP blocked by Qtel.

Let meet to see what kind of option we have here.

Evil or Very Mad

Posts: 39 · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 11:00 am Post subject: LOSS OF VOIP IN QATAR

Hi Guys,

I have some SAD NEWS. A colleague of mine contacted a friend of his at Qtel and gave him a straight answer, but with Qtel, you can never trust any thing they say. This person works in Qtel IT department, and he checked and confirmed with his boss that yes, Qtel has blocked all VOIP in Qatar. His boss was bragging and challenges that no one in Qatar is using this service right now.

We all need to start contacting the US Ambassador in Qatar “Mr. Chase Untermeyer” and please ask your family members and friends in Qatar and the states to join us in this campaign. This will bring the volume of email and shows interest in our cause. I hope Mr. Untermeyer can do something about this. The United States have a lot of interest in this region and I believe he can do something about this issue especially since he can personally contact the Emir of Qatar.

The American Embassy Mailing and email addresses are:

Embassy of the United States of America
22nd February Street
Al Luqta district

P.O. Box 2399
Doha, Qatar

Telephone: (974) 488-4101
Fax: (974) 488-4298
Email: PASDoha@state.gov and ACSConsularDoha@state.gov

Good luck people and I hope we see positive results from this campaign.

If any one has more news, please report it online and let us keep this Forum active until this issue is resolved.

Thanks,

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 11, 2005 Posts: 2

Thanks bmardini for the info and the "course of action". I will write an email immediately.

Also, please keep me informed of any "alternate" methods of connecting to Vonage are found. You, or anyone else, can pm me and we can talk by phone (unfortunately not through vonage!).

Thanks again,

J.

Posts: 39 · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 12:03 pm Post subject: Loss of VOIP in Qatar

I have just sent an email to Vonage asking for their help in this issue, please read below.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Many Vonage subscribers living in Qatar have lost their VOIP service. We believe that Qtel (ADSL provider in Qatar) is blocking the VOIP protocol to stop people from using this service, and monopolies the international call market. We no longer can contact our families in the states, and we are looking for your help. We started a Vonage Forum and discussion, web address “http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic9854-0-asc-10.html”, and we came to the consciences to start a writing campaign to the American Ambassador in Qatar “Mr. Chase Untermeyer”. In addition, we are hoping that Vonage the company with their managing boards and staff do the same and help us put some weight over this issue. The Ambassador will listen and help protect American Interest in Qatar.

Can you help us?