Last Updated on August 6, 2021 by VPNPioneer
Planning to visit Qatar? You want to stay in contact with your friends and family? In this post I will show you how to unblock Whatsapp, Skype, Viber, Facetime and other VOIP Services in Qatar. In recent time, Qatar raised its ban on Skype and WhatsApp. The VoIP issues were first reported on WhatsApp, Viber, Duo, Facetime, and Skype months ago by Qatari internet users.
Qatar only has two internet service providers (ISPs) Ooredoo and Vodafone, both of which seem to be blocking VoIP apps at the request of the local government.
The Qatar government also told internet users that they would be investigating the issue, though no resolution or official comment on the blocks themselves has arrived.
Using a VPN to Unblock Whatsapp, Skype and Facetime in Qatar
While a user waits on a request that Qatar unblock Skype’s site and services, there is a technology to use in the meantime that allows him to access VOIP services of the site and that too in a legal manner.
The VPNs (virtual private networks) allow users to encrypt their internet activity and disguise their physical location. When a user use a VPN, the internet service provider has no idea which services he is using, so it is impossible for them to block him.
A number of Qatar’s citizens have already reported using VPNs successfully to access popular VoIP services within the country.
Is it Legal to Use a VPN in Qatar?
Using a VPN in Qatar is truly legal, as long as a user doesn’t use one to break the country’s laws. It is also completely legal to use a VoIP service to make calls, as the Qatar’s government confirmed. Any person or business within the State of Qatar may use VoIP services for voice calls for their own use.
It is just illegal for companies to offer VoIP services without a license. So, if you plan to use a VPN to access Skype, Facetime, or Whatsapp in Qatar, you will be on the safe site.
The Supreme Council for Information and Communications Technology (ictQATAR). The country’s Telecom Regulatory Authority, have stated that VoIP is a technology for the delivery of voice services using existing internet infrastructure and services. There are no laws or rules that prohibit the use of such technology within the State of Qatar.
However, the Supreme Council’s official clarification does go on to state what is considered illegal. The Qatari government is legally blocking Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, and Facetime because the companies do not have licenses to operate in the country.
Conclusion
Maintaining the ability to make calls over the internet is especially important for Qatar’s many expats and foreign workers. Without services like Facetime, Skype and Whatsapp, calling family living thousands of miles away would be expensive. If you are in Qatar at the moment or you are planning to travel to Qatar soon, downloading and using a VPN could be a lifesaver.