I would like to know if there is any legal hindrance to using Skype in Qatar for PC to PC communication.
Is it OK to use Yahoo or MSN messenger for video chat?
Finally, is there any restriction on using a VOIP service like Jumblo or VOIPCheap in Qatar?
I posted a reply 4 hours ago but it didn't come up so I'll try again:
ictQATAR are the telecomms regulator. They put up the statement below on their website in 2008. See http://www.ict.gov.qa/output/page781.asp
The relevant text is below ...
Any person or business within the State of Qatar may use VoIP services for voice calls for their own use; and
No person or business within the State of Qatar may sell VoIP calls or services to the public or businesses without a license issued by ictQATAR. The only two companies currently licensed for that purpose are QTel and Vodafone.
Hopefully this will stop the regular questions about VoIP on QL but I won't hold my breath :)
ictQATAR are the regulator. They put up the statement below on their website in 2008. See http://www.ict.gov.qa/output/page781.asp
The relevant text is below ...
Any person or business within the State of Qatar may use VoIP services for voice calls for their own use; and
No person or business within the State of Qatar may sell VoIP calls or services to the public or businesses without a license issued by ictQATAR. The only two companies currently licensed for that purpose are QTel and Vodafone.
Hopefully this will stop the regular questions about VoIP on QL.
ictQATAR are the regulator. They put up the statement below on their website in 2008. See http://www.ict.gov.qa/output/page781.asp
The relevant text is below ...
Any person or business within the State of Qatar may use VoIP services for voice calls for their own use; and
No person or business within the State of Qatar may sell VoIP calls or services to the public or businesses without a license issued by ictQATAR. The only two companies currently licensed for that purpose are QTel and Vodafone.
Hopefully this will stop the regular questions about VoIP on QL but I suspect it won't.
Skype, Yahoo, msn etc. are not illegal for personal use in Qatar and if it was illegal they could have easily blocked them. I saw recently an interview with the Skype Official in one of the magazines here in which he states that they are in the process of opening their Office in the Middle East. It is illegal to use those voip services for business to make money as most of such users were cracked and caught by the Authorities but still there are some working in the inner areas where checking is rare.
My previous post was before I saw the other answers. Yes martin2doha has made the same point. If it were indeed illegal it could easily be blocked. Or worse, a user could be detected and prosecuted.
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I posted a reply 4 hours ago but it didn't come up so I'll try again:
ictQATAR are the telecomms regulator. They put up the statement below on their website in 2008. See http://www.ict.gov.qa/output/page781.asp
The relevant text is below ...
Any person or business within the State of Qatar may use VoIP services for voice calls for their own use; and
No person or business within the State of Qatar may sell VoIP calls or services to the public or businesses without a license issued by ictQATAR. The only two companies currently licensed for that purpose are QTel and Vodafone.
Hopefully this will stop the regular questions about VoIP on QL but I won't hold my breath :)
Andy
ictQATAR are the regulator. They put up the statement below on their website in 2008. See http://www.ict.gov.qa/output/page781.asp
The relevant text is below ...
Any person or business within the State of Qatar may use VoIP services for voice calls for their own use; and
No person or business within the State of Qatar may sell VoIP calls or services to the public or businesses without a license issued by ictQATAR. The only two companies currently licensed for that purpose are QTel and Vodafone.
Hopefully this will stop the regular questions about VoIP on QL.
ictQATAR are the regulator. They put up the statement below on their website in 2008. See http://www.ict.gov.qa/output/page781.asp
The relevant text is below ...
Any person or business within the State of Qatar may use VoIP services for voice calls for their own use; and
No person or business within the State of Qatar may sell VoIP calls or services to the public or businesses without a license issued by ictQATAR. The only two companies currently licensed for that purpose are QTel and Vodafone.
Hopefully this will stop the regular questions about VoIP on QL but I suspect it won't.
Andy
Buddy, i meant if it's used for business purpose, it's illegal here..As far as it is restricted behind 4 corners of the wall, it's ok..
its illegal brother!....
not just skype.... almost everytin ,,tat we wud love to do..is illegal here....
but... i knw many ppl r using skype.... .
Its legal for personal use. I'm a long term Qatar resident.
If it is not blocked, then it is legal :)
Skype, Yahoo, msn etc. are not illegal for personal use in Qatar and if it was illegal they could have easily blocked them. I saw recently an interview with the Skype Official in one of the magazines here in which he states that they are in the process of opening their Office in the Middle East. It is illegal to use those voip services for business to make money as most of such users were cracked and caught by the Authorities but still there are some working in the inner areas where checking is rare.
As long as used for personal sake it is ok,once it is misused for buisness purpose such people will be behind bars.
So what's the bottom line. Is it illegal or not.
Soniya it would be nice if you can confirm your earlier answer with a source.
My previous post was before I saw the other answers. Yes martin2doha has made the same point. If it were indeed illegal it could easily be blocked. Or worse, a user could be detected and prosecuted.
It’s not illegal. Use it for only for your own purpose. Do not make it as a business. Then only it will be illegal.
Thanks hms and soniya.
From what I understand, it is illegal but they are not actively prosecuting. Is that right?
If they want to it shouldn't be too difficult for the ISPs to find out the users or even block Skype.
What about the common yahoo and msn messengers? Are those illegal too?
it's not illegal. you can use it for your own purpose. You cannot make it as a buisiness. Then it will be illegal.
qtel could have blocked the site if it is
Soniya: are you sure it's illegal?
Though it's illegal but still many are using skype in qatar..
yes it is okay to use in Qatar, innumerable number of people are using the same.