Dubai Travel Forum

Is internet access readily available at residences in Dubai, can we get it like we do here in the states, thru cable companies and other internet providers? I read that it's highly censored but is it readily available and if so is it possible to use web cams to communicate with family at home?

Thanks!

yes the internet is availble almost every where but not via cable and yes you can use the camera

A lot of the websites that allow you to chat/speak via PC to telephone, etc. (like Skype) are blocked.

Also, there is often interrupted service, slow connection, etc.

I'm sure member colin_bramso can tell you all about it... it's one of his pet peeves ;-)

Hi there
I have internet through Du and we can use Skype - I think it is only blocked by Etisalat. Du have recently started to block more sites too and the service can be a bit slow at times, but I'm quite happy with it. Shame the same can't be said about their mobile phone service!!

We only have two ISPs but we have Broadband access easily enough. VOiP is blocked except in certain free zone areas but all of those will be blocked very soon. Messenger audio/video (computer to computer) is available freely - I use it most days to Australia, UK and other countries. I'm on it right now to India in fact.

If u r staying in a hotel appartment then you can use wireless network. You can get the password from the reception. There is a software which can change ur IP address and then you can open any blocked website and can even make calls.

Thanks

hamed

As others mentioned its available through the internet service providers Etisalat or Du. They have different speeds and charges are different depending on the speed.
Web cam can be used on many programs such as MSN, Yahoo, Paltalk, etc....

Thanks for the info Smarty.

Thanks to all of you for your help!

like it was said MSN and others work fine. Skype computer to computer works if you have it already installed but can't connect to the website to download it; Skype-In is a cheap way for you to have a phone number from your home country ringing on your computer at not cost to the caller and Skype-out is a cheap way to make Long distance calls home but that doesn't work outright, to make it work I bypass the ISP blocking/sensorship via personal VPN from netopia paying $35/year for the suscription. It works great from my Villa in Abu Dhabi with Etisalat as the ISP. the personal VPN is like having an additional firewall, some people buy it only for that. For me the savings on Long Distance pay for it in no time.

http://www.witopia.net/personalmore.html

There is a free software which changes our IP address and gives the excess to all blocked websites. Email me then i can give u the name.

MexTraveler, so I should install Skype before I leave the states?

We had it installed before we came to Dubai but it's blocked where we are (in Dubai Marina) - so although it's installed and there's money in the account we can't use it.

If you have Skype pre-installed is better, but at least you need to download it, put the installation software on a memory stick or CD and take it with you and install it from there. Or you have to get VPN first to be able to get to the site.

It comes handy to have it, I put it on my computer at work from a memory stick and can get Skype computer to computer but can't by pass the firewall and add VPN which is not that big of a deal because with the time difference I'm getting to work when everybody back home is hiting the sack so I barely use it there.

Private VPN can be purchased from the UAE, is sent to you by e-mail and is not blocked, I purchased from the UAE. I had a bit of trouble getting the mail in my yahoo account but customer service was good and got it re-sent to another account.