VOIP Banned

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » June 27, 2006, 11:12 am

Ok so they are banning all VOIP services here in Korea. There is only one ISP available so taking my business elsewhere is not an option.

Its funny they say that Vonage has never been legal over here. Someone should tell that to the HUGE store flying Vonage banners and selling it to us under 1 year contract.

This is the email I just received.

Any of you smart guys/gals out there know of a way I can either get around this or find some kind of way to have a phone in this place?
Thanks.

Customer Notification Regarding Unlawful VoIP Service.

The second largest ISP carrier in Korea, Dacom has requested that SSRT notify USFK about the following information regarding the blockage of unlawful VoIP service. Dacom has officially declared that all unlawful VoIP traffic will be blocked from all Dacom's network on July 1st, 2006 at 00:00am.

Due to that many VoIP services are not legally authorized to provide telecommunication services in Korea and are illegally providing VoIP services using major ISP carrier’s facilities, they have been declared illegal by the Korean Government.(Laws & Rules for Telecommunications No. 33” and the “Laws & Rules for Telecommunications No. 4-3, 12, 19, 59-1, 32~2). Henceforth, any unlawful VoIP service that has not been authorized by the Korean Government will be terminated by other major ISP carriers in Korea as well.
Furthermore, the customers who are currently using unauthorized devices by the network operators are strongly recommended to disconnect such devices from the network immediately.

Since SSRT is well aware of the large number of subscribers of the above services in the USFK installations, SSRT requested the ISP carriers to postpone the blocking of unlawful VoIP service provider several times since last year. VoIP service was declared illegal since August last year in Korea. It became authorized for usage on October last year when the Korean Government registered the VoIP service. But many of the VoIP providing companies are not registered in Korea and the ISP carriers who believe that it's taking a negative impact on their business have decided to terminated those services.

Despite SSRT's numerous attempts to request the ISP carriers and the Korean Government to delay the blocking of unauthorized VoIP services, a notice about the blockage of unlawful VoIP service to be performed on July 1st, 2006 was carried out on Thursday, June 22nd. We are still in the process of delaying the 'blockage' and would like to make it clear that SSRT has no intention to block the VoIP services. Not only will it hurt our business but we also realize that this will cause inconvenience to a lot of our customers as well.

The blockage of unlawful VoIP services is not only related to the USFK installations but to nationwide VoIP customers of both Koreans and foreigners alike. And we would like to acknowledge the fact that the blockage of unlawful VoIP services is neither in any event related nor relevant to SSRT Co, Ltd. It’s being carried out by the Korean Government and the ISP carriers.

Meanwhile, SSRT is coming up with plans to eliminate the inconvenience and damages to the related customers in time of the blockage of unlawful VoIP services.

We would like to recommend to the customers who have any of the unlawful VoIP services to contact those VoIP service providers and request them to register for legal authorizations from the Korean Government. If this will be troublesome, we suggest that you change your service to a legally authorized VoIP service. SSRT is more than happy to assist you in finding a lawful VoIP provider. In case, you are not certain whether your current VoIP service is a legal service, please, feel free to contact or visit any SSRT Telecommunication/Mobile Center for further assistance.

Please refer to the following link: "Dacom’s Memorandum Regarding the Blockage of Unlawful VoIP Services" for further information.

For any further inquiry regarding the blockage of unlawful VoIP service that will take place on July 1st, 2006, please contact:

Mr. Won, Jaff [Dacom Senior Manager for Carrier Account Team]
Office Phone: 02-2089-8620
Mobile Phone: 010-5547-8682
Email: won0506@chollian.net

Ms. Huh, Miehea [Dacom Carrier Account Team]
Office Phone: 02-2089-5439
Mobile Phone: 010-8233-8091
Email: miehea@dacom.net

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » June 27, 2006, 11:51 am

We would like to recommend to the customers who have any of the unlawful VoIP services to contact those VoIP service providers and request them to register for legal authorizations from the Korean Government. If this will be troublesome, we suggest that you change your service to a legally authorized VoIP service. SSRT is more than happy to assist you in finding a lawful VoIP provider. In case, you are not certain whether your current VoIP service is a legal service, please, feel free to contact or visit any SSRT Telecommunication/Mobile Center for further assistance.

Since I did not see Vonage mentioned specifically, you might try this route. It did mention that companies were given a chance to register in order for their services to be legal.

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » June 27, 2006, 12:38 pm

Yes so far though Vonage in particular is obviously the most popular VOIP carrier over here and in other emails they have declined to register with Korea. The problem is any non Korean VOIP company so far including Vonage has refused to pay the registration fees b/c Korea is taxing the ever living piss out of them.

They do offer Korean VOIP but the price is double at about $60 a month and they do not offer any US based phone numbers.

I've heard about IP phones are they the same as VOIP?

miir · Post by **miir** » June 27, 2006, 12:41 pm

I've heard about IP phones are they the same as VOIP?

VOIP = Voice Over IP = IP phone.

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » June 27, 2006, 1:04 pm

How can they even block something like VOIP at the ISP level without affecting anything else?
What exactly do they block?

miir · Post by **miir** » June 27, 2006, 1:16 pm

Port blocking.

noel · Post by **noel** » June 27, 2006, 1:42 pm

They can do port blocking, they can block IP access to Vonage servers...

There are several options for you.

1) Use an IM client with voice chat. I'm just guessing they're not blocking all of them.

2) Establish a VPN connection to somewhere outside of Korea. This will introduce latency, but it will encrypt and encapsulate your packets out of your ISP's network and they won't know what you're transmitting anyway...

3) I'd contact your ISP and find out what the hell they'll actually be blocking.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » June 27, 2006, 3:27 pm

Noel covered it for the most part. Wonder if they block Skype as well.

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » June 27, 2006, 3:59 pm

I cant wait for the 1st to see what they are actually blocking and how to get around it.
What douchebags.

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » June 28, 2006, 12:13 pm

Newest email:

Status of Unlawful VoIP Service in Korea
DACOM officially announced that current illegal VoIP services via Korean ISPs (Internet Service Providers) network will no longer be provided nationwide. Since DACOM has the right to intercept its VoIP services under the certain circumstances such as an illegal use or improper use according to MIC (Ministry of Information and Communication), current illegal VoIP services will be blocked on July 1st, 2006 on Dacom’s network.

SSRT Co, Ltd has been working very hard in delaying this blockage numerous times since October, last year. Henceforth, Dacom has notified major VoIP service providers in the United States regarding the blockage of unlawful VoIP service since November 2005. But no further demurrals against the blockage of services have been issued.

* First:
- Blockage was arranged on October 21st, 2005 by Dacom.
- Request to delay service blockage was made on November 30th, 2005. Forty days delay was made by the request of SSRT Co, Ltd.

* Second:
- Blockage was arranged on February 7th, 2006 by Dacom.
- Request to delay service blockage was made on March 11th, 2006. Thirty five days delay was made by the request of SSRT Co, Ltd.

* Third:
- Blockage was arranged on April 1st, 2006 by Dacom.
- Request to delay service blockage was made on May15th, 2006. Forty five days delay was made by the request of SSRT Co, Ltd.

* Fourth:
- Blockage will be arranged on July 1st, 2006 by Dacom.
- Dacom replied to SSRT that the blockage for unlawful VoIP service can no longer be extended.

Dacom has declared that the blockage will take place until the illegal VoIP service providers comply to the “Laws & Rules” of the Korean Government. Once it becomes authorized for use in Korea, the blockage will be dissolved according to Dacom.

So far, the VoIP providers that have been legally authorized in Korea are: Hanaro, Dacom, Onse, KT, Anyusernet, and other telecommunication companies, “PC to PC Type VoIP service” and “Messenger Type VoIP Service” are legal for use.

If we can find more legalized VoIP service providers, we’ll post it on our website http://www.ssrt.com and inform you. SSRT wants to do our best to assist you in every way and would like to acknowledge you once more that the blockage of unlawful VoIP service is neither in any relevant to SSRT Co, Ltd. It is being carried out by the Korean Government and the ISP carriers. The blockage of unlawful VoIP services is not only related to the USFK installations but to nationwide VoIP customers of both Koreans and foreigners.

We strongly recommend to the customers who use an illegal VoIP service to take the following actions: Contact the VoIP service providers and request them to register for legal authorization from the Korean Government. If this is troublesome, we suggest that you change your service to a legally authorized VoIP service.

Please, feel free to contact or visit SSRT Telecommunications/Mobile Center for further assistance. We are more than happy in assisting you in this matter.

So pretty much all US based VOIP providers are banned.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » June 28, 2006, 12:24 pm

Sounds like Skype would be the way to go for you. You can call regular phones with that but you have to buy cheap credits.

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » June 28, 2006, 2:41 pm

I just got an email in my hotmail inbox that said the newest version of messenger was going to allow calling to phone numbers for the same current price of ..free.

I'll see how that goes as soon as they update it.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » June 28, 2006, 3:53 pm

I noticed that as well. There are actually at least one model of phone designed for regular use or to be used with your computer to call contacts on your MSN Messenger list. I saw it at Best Buy last weekend, but I cannot remember who it was made by.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » June 28, 2006, 4:27 pm

MSN 8 has Live Anywhere, the new all encompassing network which integrates mobile phones, Xbox 360, and XP/Vista users.

I use the new MSN 8 as my IM and am happy with it so far. There's lot of extra crap on it but also a third party mod that can get rid of all the bogus stuff you don't want on it.

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » June 28, 2006, 5:52 pm

What about Team Speak or Ventrillo? I know they are pretty generic but they might serve in a pinch when you really want to talk to someone.

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » June 29, 2006, 11:24 am

Thats true but I'm needing something with quality of VOIP/landline and no to difficult to setup. Plus in my house in the US the phone is in the office and my wife is only in there when we fire up the webcams, so I need some way to make the phone ring so she knows I'm calling since our schedules conflict so much.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » June 29, 2006, 11:34 am

You could set it up via text message if she has a cellphone

noel · Post by **noel** » June 30, 2006, 2:47 am

Sendarie wrote:Thats true but I'm needing something with quality of VOIP/landline and no to difficult to setup. Plus in my house in the US the phone is in the office and my wife is only in there when we fire up the webcams, so I need some way to make the phone ring so she knows I'm calling since our schedules conflict so much.

How many times will Kelshara have to mention Skype for you to try it out?

Bojangels · Post by **Bojangels** » June 30, 2006, 5:05 am

See the latest email? They're holding off on the ban while they come to an agreement with USFK.

I think we can raise enough hell to keep them from blocking Vonage.

Skype will be the way to go though, if they ever get around to banning Vonage.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » June 30, 2006, 1:10 pm

noel wrote:
Sendarie wrote:Thats true but I'm needing something with quality of VOIP/landline and no to difficult to setup. Plus in my house in the US the phone is in the office and my wife is only in there when we fire up the webcams, so I need some way to make the phone ring so she knows I'm calling since our schedules conflict so much.
How many times will Kelshara have to mention Skype for you to try it out?

Skype

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » July 4, 2006, 12:12 pm

Maybe I dont understand Skype. I was under the impression it was something like Messenger with some more horns and whistles.

Downloading it today.

And for the post above no she doesnt have a cell phone. We are anti-cellphones but thats neither here nor there.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » July 4, 2006, 12:21 pm

Skype has text message capability, voice over microphone/headset capability and you can also call regular phones with it. Calling regular phones does cost a bit but it is pretty cheap.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » July 4, 2006, 12:54 pm

You know, their proivider skipped the money they would have spent on killing net neutrality and went this route. Same end result.

Comcast ( my provider ) has regular packet drops that cause VOIP calls to disconnect, they do it intentionally. I found out because my service is teh shitty and I was monitoring pings over a 30 day period and when I bitched about it, the 19th tier guy I got was finally able to understand what pings were. Apparently ( and actually) there is nothing promising you that you can use the service you pay for, AND comcast is rolling out their own VOIP service.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 4, 2006, 1:06 pm

Kylere wrote:You know, their proivider skipped the money they would have spent on killing net neutrality and went this route. Same end result.

Comcast ( my provider ) has regular packet drops that cause VOIP calls to disconnect, they do it intentionally. I found out because my service is teh shitty and I was monitoring pings over a 30 day period and when I bitched about it, the 19th tier guy I got was finally able to understand what pings were. Apparently ( and actually) there is nothing promising you that you can use the service you pay for, AND comcast is rolling out their own VOIP service.

That's what reading your posts have been like lately.

miir · Post by **miir** » July 4, 2006, 1:39 pm

Kylere wrote:You know, their proivider skipped the money they would have spent on killing net neutrality and went this route. Same end result.

Comcast ( my provider ) has regular packet drops that cause VOIP calls to disconnect, they do it intentionally. I found out because my service is teh shitty and I was monitoring pings over a 30 day period and when I bitched about it, the 19th tier guy I got was finally able to understand what pings were. Apparently ( and actually) there is nothing promising you that you can use the service you pay for, AND comcast is rolling out their own VOIP service.

Are you drunk?

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » July 4, 2006, 1:56 pm

On a side note: I ran Vonage on Comcast without any issues at all. Work line, so I had 40ish calls per day.

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » July 4, 2006, 6:21 pm

Bojangles where are you stationed?

Newest rumor is that Skype is going to be blocked also. Do they use the same protocol/port or whatever as VOIP?

noel · Post by **noel** » July 5, 2006, 1:41 pm

Sendarie wrote:Bojangles where are you stationed?

Newest rumor is that Skype is going to be blocked also. Do they use the same protocol/port or whatever as VOIP?

The short answer is probably not. There's a longer answer that I'll try to squish into a few sentences. VoIP is not like HTTP where it always uses the same port on the receiving server. VoIP varies in it's implementations and designs. It's possible Skype uses the same ports as Vonage, but I doubt it.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » July 5, 2006, 5:26 pm

Kelshara wrote:On a side note: I ran Vonage on Comcast without any issues at all. Work line, so I had 40ish calls per day.

I wish I could, on the best days I average 7% packet loss. My overall is 12% for the last 60 days. You maybe in Pennsylvania?

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » July 5, 2006, 5:51 pm

Ohio. Cleveland area. That is, I am in Europe right now and Vonage works fien here too! But I was back there as late as May and it worked flawlessly. I am VERY impressed with our Comcast connection there, very very fast and stable.

Bojangels · Post by **Bojangels** » July 6, 2006, 1:24 am

I'm at Kunsan. Hopefully G Bell can keep them from banning it altogether, but as long as they can delay it for 4 more months so I can get the hell out of here I don't care.

I'm not giving those bastards any more of my money. I seriously wish they would nuke whatever contract they've got with these clowns and get some competition out here to drive down the prices and boost up the service.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » July 6, 2006, 3:18 pm

Newest Yahoo Messenger beta does calls too now I think.

noel · Post by **noel** » July 6, 2006, 7:03 pm

You could just use Ventrilo or Teamspeak. Kind of archaic as far as a fully featured VoIP client goes, but you can set the ports to be whatever you want which basically means they could never block it.

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » July 9, 2006, 11:21 am

Hmm ventrillo is sounding pretty good if they actually go through with the ban. The deadline keeps getting pushed and I talked to Vonage this weekend and they are trying to work through it or so they say.

In any case Vent's abillity to assign whatever port I want is looking like the way to go.

Thanks guys.