Bypass Qatar’s VOIP Ban and Stay Connected
Today’s guide will show you how to beat the Qatar VoIP ban easily using a VPN. With one of our recommended VPN providers installed onto your desktop or mobile device, you’ll be able to unblock VoIP and other sites and services banned by the Qatari government.
Government censorship is nothing new. It might seem like governments are cracking down more frequently on free and open communication channels but they’ve always done this. It’s just more noticeable in the digital age because communication is so much faster. When a communication channel breaks down, people notice it more quickly. The people in Qatar did notice when, during the past few weeks, VOIP apps like Skype and WhatsApp stopped working.
- NordVPN – Best VoIP VPN – NordVPN is our top pick for unblocking Skype and similar calling services within Qatar. It’s got the best overall server network, with unbeatable privacy provisions and snappy performance.
- Surfshark – Surfshark hasn’t been around as long as our other recommendations, but it offers the most modern feature set we’ve seen.
- ExpressVPN – The time-tested solution for unblocking apps and sites without sacrificing speed, ExpressVPN is widely used in Qatar to this day.
It seems the government has banned these two apps though there isn’t any official confirmation and ISPs are denying any role in the Qatar VOIP ban. We discuss the matter in detail below, and offer up some solutions.
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Qatar Blocks VOIP Apps
This ban has been on-going since early September. According to Doha News, the problem started early in this month with no explanation behind the cause. It appears FaceTime isn’t working either though, it may not be related to this particular ban.
In countries like UAE, FaceTime is banned altogether and the iPhones sold there simply do not have the app. Perhaps Qatar is implementing something similar. Even if that were true, the disruption in Skype and Whatsapp cannot be overlooked. WhatsApp has had global service problems this past month but it was nothing like what people in Qatar are experiencing at the moment. Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority promised to look into the matter but has remained silent since.
While it appears that most users are experiencing trouble with Skype and WhatsApp, other messaging services like Facebook Messenger and Instagram Video Calling have also been effected.
Is there a problem w/video call in #Qatar? FaceTime, FB Messenger and Skype are not working @OoredooQatar please check!
— YaaahhhDoha (@YaaahhhDoha) September 7, 2017
It’s not clear why Skype has been blocked though, Whatsapp might have come under scrutiny because of its end-to-end encryption that prevents governments from intercepting messages. VOIP services are banned in religiously conservative countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE but Qatar has never had a problem with them in the past. At present, there doesn’t seem to be any reason that might motivate the government to consider a ban on these services either.
Unblock the Qatar VOIP ban with a VPN
Users in Qatar have been getting around the VOIP ban by using VPNs. VPNs are already popular in the country among users who seek to access regionally restricted content on services like HBO Go and Netflix. It seems that while VOIP services have been blocked, many VPN services in Qatar continue to work without a hitch. They are, therefore, one of the simplest ways to get around the VOIP ban.
If you’re trying to make voice or video calls, you need a VPN service that doesn’t throttle speeds and that has a reliable connection. You also need the connection speed to remain constant and not fluctuate too much or it will impact the call quality. The VPN service should work on both desktop and mobile so that you can use your VOIP service of choice on the go. Lastly, if this does turn out to be a government initiated ban, you want to use a service that can protect your privacy as well.
Comparison of the Best VPNs to Unblock VOIP Calls In Qatar
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer
Best VPNs for Qatar
1. NordVPN
- SPECIAL OFFER: 2-yr plan (70% off – link below)
- No bandwidth caps
- 2,048-bit SSL keys and DNS leak protection
- Extra-secure Double VPN for data encryption
- Great support (24/7 chat)
- Automatic server selection can be unreliable
- Refund processing can take up to 30 days
NordVPN has more servers than any other VPN service currently in operation, numbering 5,600+ nodes in 60 countries. That is its strong suit and when it comes to government sanctioned bans, you need just such a service to get around it. Of course, it’s also very fast and above all, it has 256-bit AES encryption backed by a strict zero-logging policy which means your browsing is kept private. It has apps for all major desktop and mobile platforms so regardless which device you want to use Skype or Whatsapp on, NordVPN has you covered.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
- Reliably unblocks Netflix US, UK, Japan, and more
- Unblock Netflix on any server, no more picking and choosing
- Bitcoin, Etherium, and other cryptocurrencies accepted as payment
- Logging policy independently audited and verified
- 24/7 live chat ensures maximum uptime
- Connection speeds won’t impress users of other high-end VPNs
- Power users may wish for more settings to fiddle with
Surfshark was practically built to combat government restrictions on Internet freedom. No matter which of their 3200+ servers in 65 countries you choose, your provider will auto-detect ISP surveillance, then counteract it with the special NoBorders anti-censorship method. It works in China, and it will work in Qatar to unblock VoIP services like Skype. Additional provisions include 256-AES-GCM encryption, unlimited simultaneous connections, adblocking, and zero logs.
3. ExpressVPN
- Unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and Amazon Prime
- Super fast servers
- Govt-level AES-256 encryption
- Strict no-logs policy for personal information
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Slightly pricier than the competition
ExpressVPN is an old and reliable VPN services that is used all over the world to circumvent regional restrictions and government bans alike. It has servers in countries like USA, UK, Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, and Australia. The service is particularly known for its high speed and reliable connection. It’s the go-to service for anyone looking to stream online media which means it is more than capable of handling voice and video calls.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
Are VPNs Legal In Qatar?
As mentioned earlier, people in Qatar have been using VPNs for a long time and for a whole host of services. They are perfectly legal in the country with just one stipulation; you cannot use them to do anything that is illegal in the country. For example, if the government rules that accessing Wikipedia is illegal, then using a VPN to access it might be construed as a crime. Since there is no official statement on the Qatar VOIP ban from the government, using a VPN to access Skype and Whatsapp is perfectly legal.
Share Your Thoughts
Have you been affected by Qatar’s VOIP ban, and if so how have you dealt with it? Did you find our VPN recommendations useful? Let us know about your situation in the comments below.
Alternatively, are you outside of Qatar and want access to localized content? Check out our full guide on how to get a Qatari IP address from any country.
If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.
I use ivacy vpn to un block the VOIP in Qatar