Vonage banned in Oman

I have checked through the read me's so I hope that I am not asking a question that has already been dealt with.

I have recently moved to Oman with my vonage phone only to discover that I am unable to connect and that other vonage users in country have suddenly found themselves unable to connect.

I was pointed here by a guy at the vonage forums. Here is the initial discussion that I had regarding the problem.

www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic11879-0-asc-0.html

From what I understand it seems that Omantel (the local and only ISP) have blocked certain ports that vonage uses. Vonage wont help me change these ports and I am unable to do it myself without idiot proof guidance. I tried testyourvoip.com and they said that my current ports were blocked 5060 but that they could get through on ports 6000.

I am now considering getting another VOIP service and need help in choosing one. What I would like to do is to have all my calls that come from my vonage account redirected to a new VOIP service. THe only issue is that my vonage account will only redirect calls to a UK number so the VOIP service I am looking for would need to have a UK number. I would also need to make outgoing calls from Oman back to Europe but the outward bound number is less important, just as long as I can make the calls I dont mind.

However, I wonder if anyone else out there has any alternative ideas as to how I might get around the issue?

What do people recommend I do?

THanks in advance

Regards

Mowers

Reply from dean on Mar 11, 2006 - 10:02 AM

Hi Mowers and welcome to the forums.

Quote:

THe only issue is that my vonage account will only redirect calls to a UK number so the VOIP service I am looking for would need to have a UK number. I would also need to make outgoing calls from Oman back to Europe but the outward bound number is less important, just as long as I can make the calls I dont mind.

SIPgate (http://www.sipgate.co.uk) currently offer a free geographic SIP terminated UK phone number. As you're redirecting from Vonage, that would probably cost you less than one of our SIP numbers which are non-geographic.

The fundamental problem is that most SIP based networks operate on port 5060, so I don't think you could even use SIPgate (or us) as we all bind to that port. You need not only a UK number to redirect to, but also a SIP service that operates on a non-standard port.

I don't know of any I'm afraid, but others here might.

I believe what you are experiencing is going to become a widespread tactic, unfortunately, by national incumbent telco's which have a monopoly position and wish to retain it.

Dean

Reply from mowers on Mar 11, 2006 - 12:20 PM

dean :

Hi Mowers and welcome to the forums. Quote: THe only issue is that my vonage account will only redirect calls to a UK number so the VOIP service I am looking for would need to have a UK number. I would also need to make outgoing calls from Oman back to Europe but the outward bound number is less important, just as long as I can make the calls I dont mind. SIPgate (http://www.sipgate.co.uk) currently offer a free geographic SIP terminated UK phone number. As you're redirecting from Vonage, that would probably cost you less than one of our SIP numbers which are non-geographic. The fundamental problem is that most SIP based networks operate on port 5060, so I don't think you could even use SIPgate (or us) as we all bind to that port. You need not only a UK number to redirect to, but also a SIP service that operates on a non-standard port. I don't know of any I'm afraid, but others here might. I believe what you are experiencing is going to become a widespread tactic, unfortunately, by national incumbent telco's which have a monopoly position and wish to retain it. Dean

Thanks for the welcome and the information Dean,

Indeed, it might well become a national response. I see that Skype still works here and that they are doing UK numbers now. My thought is to have skype here and have my vonage number re-directed to them. Anyone see any problem with that?

Mowers

Reply from gray on Mar 11, 2006 - 01:13 PM

That should work just fine and don't forget you can also divert your Voipuser number to your Skype in Number - so if you prefer to get a Skype in Number outside the UK (Germany France etc) then Voipuser will provide your UK needs.

Lobby your telcom provider and ask them for release of Port 5060 , if/when its released you can then run a SIP phone, drop Skype and keep the same UK incoming number.

Reply from mowers on Mar 11, 2006 - 01:35 PM

gray :

That should work just fine and don't forget you can also divert your Voipuser number to your Skype in Number - so if you prefer to get a Skype in Number outside the UK (Germany France etc) then Voipuser will provide your UK needs. Lobby your telcom provider and ask them for release of Port 5060 , if/when its released you can then run a SIP phone, drop Skype and keep the same UK incoming number.

Thanks grey, much appreciated.

Unfortunately the ban was for financial gain and I doubt I will be able to get them to change their minds due to my lack of clout in country.

Mowers

Reply from sardarji on May 02, 2006 - 11:29 AM

try http://www.messagenet.it/ as it works on port 5061 instead of 5060. also gives free italy incoming number.

regards
sardarji

Reply from ling_zhi28 on Aug 02, 2006 - 01:45 AM

mowers :

I tried testyourvoip.com and they said that my current ports were blocked 5060 but that they could get through on ports 6000.

Now, now there are 2 type gateways from www.xszhengda.com can by pass the VOIP blocking, whatever port blocked, the gateways can pass through.

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