Skype Blocked in Jordan: A Big Step Backward
A coworker informed me today that few days ago, the site of Skype (http://www.skype.com ) is no longer accessible from Jordan. It seems that they are following the steps of countries that live in the dark ages when it comes to Internet. To confirm that you don’t have a “Network Error” or that the site is down, and that the site is actually blocked, try to use any of the Internet Anonymizer services (http://www.freeproxy.ru/en/free_proxy/cgi-proxy.htm ) and see how you will be able to access it.
What really aches me the most, is that Jordan was really one of the countries that have the highest level of freedom of access in the Internet, and even daring to block sites to protect the commercial interests of few companies is the worst thing that could happen to our Internet industry. I really hope that some reasoning and sanity get to the heads of the decision makers in Jordan. The Internet is Free, I can still get the skype client from 10s of other sources, and I can make calls using 100s of applications, the only way I would use licensed services by companies in Jordan is if they give me same level of service with lesser price, and we know that this will never happen.
UPDATE: the block seems to effect the ability to download Skype client, and not using it for those who already downloaded it. So, for those who are already using Skype, it seems that they can continue to do so, but without the ability to download, or update their Skype Client.
UPDATE2: Thanks Omar, here is the official letter confirming that the block was requested from the Telecomunication Regulation Commission:
September 28th, 2006 at 10:20 am
That’s awekward…I was using Skype yesterday and the day before with absolutely no problems.
September 28th, 2006 at 10:24 am
Thanks O.J. .. I added an update.. indeed, those who are already using Skype can still use it, but they won’t be able to download a newer version of it, or update it, or download it again. Currently it is only effecting the access to the site Skype.com.. but looking at other countries such as UAE, they managed to make Skype Users having a very bad time with port and protocol filteration, making it a headache to use Skype
September 28th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
using skyp till now :)
i had the last version last week… :)
September 28th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
lol lets not jump to conclusions…of all the sites on the internet they’re going to come after 10 years and block skype? it’s probably a temporary thing, but who knows.
September 28th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
This is absurd !
It’s well known that skype is very popular and used among business communities , and even on personal level and blocking the website is such a silly act ! so now they are threatened by skype ! it is not the only conversation software , and as you said there ate 10s of way by which one can get into it ..
This is a shame ..
September 28th, 2006 at 5:28 pm
That is ridiculous. Do you think that there’s something we can do?
September 28th, 2006 at 9:26 pm
I don’t get it, what’s the reason behind blocking skype? it doesn’t make sense. what next? block gizmo? messengers of all sorts? very strange.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:31 am
Nas,
I checked it, it is inaccessible from all ISPs in Jordan, network issues usually effect a single ISP, but being unable to reach it from all ISPs means that it is something serious..
As for who might have done it, I am not sure, it could be the Jordan Telecom, or the Telecommunication Commission. Both have an interest in blocking it. The first because Skype is a clear compatitor, and the second, because Skype is an unlicenced Long Disntance call provider.
Another possibility, is that security and intelegence related agencies had a part in it, because of the inability to tap into Skype calls.
It is still unclear how far it will go, and if it will reach to block the ability to make calls as UAE is trying to do. But one thing is for sure, it is a great step behind.
Roba, I am not sure what we can do. It isn’t Skype really that I am worried about, it is the “block sites” mentality that I am most afraid of. If today they blocked Skype, tomorrow they might do so for MSN Voice chat, Yahoo, and so on.. And then maybe then our parlament find it easier to ask the government to have a semilar “BLOCK and Filteration” policies as nearby countries… This is scary….
September 29th, 2006 at 8:46 am
i used it yesterday it is working but maybe as you said newer versions are blocked,like what happened with newer versions of msn,if u recall we used to be able to call msn to phone on old versions like 3.5 .
Issam sorry to bring this up here but are you the Issam responsible for hordan planet?
if so can you please check the spam on the forum,(lots of ads with dirty links)
I sent JP some suggestions regarding the planet and I got no response.and i think that hamza needs his url fixed since he moved his blog.
if its not you then forget about my last comment
September 29th, 2006 at 8:47 am
sorry for the ypo..Jordan palnet not hordan :D
hal2 s7eet ma3lesh
October 3rd, 2006 at 10:07 pm
I don’t think they are preventing anything, they are just making it harder, well web proxies are available all over the internet, also downloading …., P2P is also available, if you can’t download it from the internet, well you can take it from some P2P client, we can start running some torrent server somewhere to provide things like this :D
October 4th, 2006 at 9:34 am
Strange indeed, I sure hope they re-think this over, anyone going to download skype would probably know where to find the skype client elsewhere, hell you’ll probably find it burned on CD’s in Amman in a couple of weeks ;)
October 9th, 2006 at 9:00 am
Hello all,
I just called Wanadoo (the Jordan telecom ISP) and they confirmed that http://www.skype.com is blocked by them on the proxy level nation wide and it is not allowed to use it anymore.
I’m very sorry to see this happening and Jordan was a role modle in telecommunication in the region and with this now is starting to go back.
October 9th, 2006 at 9:32 am
Skype.Com and related services are being blocked by ORDER of the TRC. Here’s the letter:
http://www.skypejournal.com/info/archives/images/fax1728×1153.png
October 9th, 2006 at 10:37 am
Here’s some relevant history from the TRC that highlights their blatant contradiction on the matter:
In a statement on VoIP http://www.trc.gov.jo/Static_English/New%20Stuff/Final%20VoIP%20Statement%20Final.doc, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) of Jordan determined that the exclusivity conditions contained in Jordan Telecom’s licence should not be allowed to stifle innovation or otherwise slow the advancement of technology in the country. On the other hand, TRC maintained that Jordan Telecom had an exclusive right to provide public switched voice service free of competition until its exclusivity period expired.
“ The use of VoIP technologies by commercial service providers other than Jordan Telecom to provide voice service to the public is prohibited prior to January 1, 2005. After that time, the provision of voice service using VoIP will be governed by future rules and/or guidelines to be issued by the TRC. The current prohibition includes services that utilize a normal telephone connected to the public switched telephone network, which then routes calls over the Internet via a gateway operated by a service provider, as well as the commercial offering of voice service to the public by the owner of a personal computer or other device connected to the Internet. “
“ Jordan Telecom’s exclusivity rights, however, pertain only to competing providers of voice service. Jordan Telecom’s exclusive right to provide voice service does not in any way constrain the activity of users making use of data communication networks for their own use. Thus, the Statement clarifies that a user is free to use a computer or other device attached to the Internet or another data communication network to make voice calls as long as there is no involvement with a service provider in Jordan. Under the TRC’s reading of Jordan Telecom’s license there is no restriction on the private use of so-called PC-to-PC VoIP or PC-to-phone VoIP, as long as there is no service provider in Jordan competing with Jordan Telecom in offering voice service. “
“ Jordan Telecom’s exclusive right to provide Public Switched Voice Service covers only the provision of a commercial service by one party to another separate party. Persons in Jordan are therefore free to utilize their legitimately subscribed data communication circuits to transmit and receive voice or other media format of their choosing without fear of infringing on Jordan Telecom’s License, as long as they are transmitting and receiving such information for their own private use and not on behalf of a third party. “
October 13th, 2006 at 3:14 am
I guess it’s not blocked anymore, at least on tedata, I upgraded mine 3 days ago, I thought maybe it’s the ubuntu (1.3 new fresh realese with the same old problems :D), also today I installed a version on my other computer directly from skype.com
I guess they changed thier mind :P
October 28th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
[...] A couple of weeks ago, Isam noted that Skype’s website has been blocked across the Jordanian ISP’s by the TRC. And in the passed 10 days or so, we’ve seen a few bloggers noting the same and writing about it, with plenty of comments on actions to go about in order to reverse the TRC’s block.With ideas of setting up a pettition online, and requesting JP citizens on signing it, and circulating it for more signatories then accordingly forwarding it to the head of TRC. Furthermore, other PR-marketing actions for a campaign of restoring the service, that hopefully would lead the word of help to an authoritive figure over TRC. All were action plans. Now fortunately, none of that is necessary as the TRC has restored Skype’s website service, and cancelled it’s block request on Skype’s VoIP service.While the TRC had alleged that security reasons were the justification for it blocking the service, other more realistic theories oriented towards economic interest protection of local companies were the force behind the block originally. This is the ongoing theory. The TRC should try to avoid contridicting what it advocates as it’s mission in encouraging the spread of technology, via regulation and control etc….Security is a buzz word, that the masses of ignorance will gladly oblige to its requirements and kneel and bow their heads to it. HOWEVER, those cursed with a bit more intelligence shall question the authenticity of the security matter that may/could have other alternative issues on it’s agenda, whereby security is not even listed - but used as Just a buzz word!!!I think we need an NGO body monitoring the activities of the Governmental instituation and private sector of technology, to ensure consumer rights, and economic competition. [...]
November 6th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Hello there,
i have a big problem with skype .. i was using skype outside the united arab emirates, but unfortunatly, when i came back to my home country i couldn’t use it it needs a proxy or a firewall i guess, plz if u have any idea don’t mean to help .. thanks alot
May 9th, 2007 at 10:14 am
I am in abudhabi (uae).Unable to access this site.plz give me an alternative site .
August 16th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Ok guys,
Am I crazy or is skype currently blocked on the packet level in Jordan? I’ve just returned from work because I thought they had something stupid with their network, but I can’t access my contacts at home as well. What gives?
August 17th, 2007 at 1:20 am
Well, after spending 8 hours trying to ssh tunnel skype through a server in I don’t know where, It’s evident that we had it all wrong!
http://blogs.aamayreh.org/skype-globally-down
December 26th, 2007 at 4:31 am
[...] movement endsTopic: Techie notes…| A couple of weeks ago, Isam noted that Skype’s website has been blocked across the Jordanian ISP’s by the TRC. And [...]
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