The NTRA refuted via Twitter rumours circulated on social media about the blocking of VOIP services in Egypt including FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Voice Calling and Other VoIP Services.
Telecom operators received considerable attention and various reports regarding VOIP services claiming it has been blocked in Egypt.
Over days, people on social media reporting problems in using Viber, Skype,Facebook Messenger complaining about affected services include popular Web and mobile applications like Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook and Viber, but other less-known tools could be affected as well.
https://twitter.com/_GARHY_/status/855741417955758080
Welcome to the dark ages .#voip blocked don't ask why .
Simply here everything can be possible
Land of mircales
— islam_wahid (@islam_mizo) April 21, 2017
Egypt has decided to shutdown all the voIP services that include Facetime,WhatsApp and Messenger
the Video/Audio calls are entirely blocked
— Amira Gamal (@amirayossf) April 21, 2017
The three mobile operators in Egypt had previously demanded the NTRA to block VOIP services such as voice calls on Facebook, Skype, and FaceTime, more than two years ago. Back in 2015, The NTRA issued a statement denying issuing the ban, asserting that this was only a “rumor”.
NTRA denies blocking voice calling services in Egypt
An official at a mobile phone operator denied that mobile operators had blocked the services, pointing out that this interruption may be caused by the weak internet connection in some places. He stressed that mobile operators cannot disable the VOIP services without the approval of the NTRA.
The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) announced that the authority has nothing to do with this interruption and that it reassure again that news regarding this issue is incorrect.
https://twitter.com/NTRAEgyofficial/status/855539461899288581
The NTRA is considering putting new rules to control mobile internet services, including WhatsApp, Viber, YouTube, and social media networks. A committee was formed to study this matter in terms of social, economic, and security aspects.
VoIP technology allows for voice and multimedia communications through the Internet, rather than through regular telephone lines.
With the surge in VoIP technology, many turned to applications and services such as Viber and Skype to place free international calls via the Internet without being subjected to exorbitant per-minute charges by service providers.
VOIP services are being blocked in many countries of the Middle East, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
