VoIP Providers List Worldwide VoIP Providers Directory

There has been seemingly endless debate recently about net neutrality and how, if lost, we will be affected. However, we don’t have to look forward to what it could be like, some ISPs and even governments have taken it in their own hands to censor what their internet subscribers can or cannot do online.

Scared of the loss of revenue posed by VoIP, some incumbent telcos and government have in the past blocked ports so that calls cannot connect with a user on their network. This is downright despicable, and it should have you very concerned. One has to ask, where it could lead to? Is VoIP blocking just the thin end of a much larger wedge? Will ISPs take it upon themselves to block IMs from contacts not on their network or bounce an email from your friend who uses a competing ISP?

It took a lot of time to collate the information for this, and I hope you find it useful. Remember that this is a historical list that details ISPs and countries who have either blocked VoIP in the past or are continuing to do so presently. Your comments are most welcome!

1. Panama

Panama was the first country to declare an all-out ban on all Voice over IP communication when in 2002 the government decreed that each and every ISP in the country was to block 24 UDP ports commonly used for IP telephony. In 2004 the government did a complete U-turn and annulled the legislation banning VoIP but they introduced a 12% tax on all calls, including those made via Voice over IP.

2. Belize Telecommunications Limited, Belize

In an article called ‘Trouble in the tropics‘ Russell Shaw revealed that Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL) were hard at work blocking VoIP providers such as Vonage and Skype as well as a raft of others. In fact BTL went so far as to block Google Talk, MSN Messenger and Yahoo! IM because they also offered voice as well as text chat.

3. Cable & Wireless, Caribbean

Good old Cable & Wireless are a UK-based ISP who also have a network of subsidiaries servicing the Caribbean. They were known to be blocking, or attempting to block, Voice over IP calls originating from or terminating on their network some years ago. However, it looks like they have had a change of heart and are now actively pushing their range of IP telephony services to consumers and businesses in the Caribbean.

4. Clearwire, USA

In 2005 reports started to filter through that Clearwire, an ISP based in WA, were blocking subscribers to Vonage. Shortly after Clearwire began blocking calls, Vonage came up with a solution where they changed the SIP port number. Ironically Clearwire now run their own internet phone service that offers similar functionality to Vonage. At the time of the blocking there were reports that Clearwire were blocking Vonage in order to pave the way for a Clearwire VoIP service.

5. Madison River, USA

Around the same time that Clearwire were blocking Vonage, reports started to come through that Madison River were also involved in blocking VoIP calls made by their subscribers. After a user revolt the Mebane, North Carolina ISP was forced to cease blocking VoIP calls by the FCC who also issued them with a $15,000 fine for inhibiting consumer choice. The fine, issued in March 2005, prohibits Madison River from blocking any VoIP calls for 30 months until September 2007. Interestingly Madison River are now offering VoIP services directly to customers.

6. Telmex, Mexico

In April 2005 VoIP users began to experience problems when attempting to call out via Telmex, a Mexican ISP. Vonage, Skype, DialPad and Net2Phone among other VoIP service providers were blocked. After making a few checks it appears that Telmex are still strong-arming their subscribers out of using Voice over IP.

7. Basil Telecom, Brazil

Currently the incumbent telco in Brazil, Brasil Telecom, is blocking VoIP traffic using network management software called NarusInsight purchased from US-based Narus. Brasil Telecom chose the software so that they could regulate IP telephony within Brazil and stop ongoing “revenue leakage” due to VoIP.

8. Etisalat, UAE

The UAE’s incumbent telco, Etisalat, has been well documented as an ISP that does not like VoIP. While there had been reports that telecom regulations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were about to be relaxed to allow VoIP, people in Dubai are still unable to use Skype, Vonage or any other Voice over IP service provider.

9. China (strict regulations on VoIP)

The Chinese government have banned unregulated VoIP until 2008, presumably because of the threat posed by VoIP providers to the incumbent PSTN telcos. However, the ban does allow 6 incumbents, China Unicom, China Telecom, China Mobile, China Netcom and 2 others, to offer VoIP services. Skype is available for computer - computer calls.

10. Shanghai Telecom, China

In July 2006 Shanghai Telecom purchased a network management system from Narus Inc. that can detect and block calls made over the internet. Skype was not blocked because the Chinese version of Skype does not connect to the PSTN, however, it has been somewhat neutered and offers only computer - computer calls.

If your ISP or government is blocking VoIP, there are several ways around it. One option is to setup an encrypted VPN while others might be interested in Bound-IP, an application built to foil ISPs who try to block VoIP.