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-   -   Is Skype still banned in Burma? (https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/is-skype-still-banned-in-burma-956501/)

filmwill Nov 12th, 2012 04:30 PM

Is Skype still banned in Burma?
 
Word on the street was that, as of last year, Skype was banned in Burma.

Is it still?

Kathie Nov 12th, 2012 04:44 PM

No skype is not banned in Burma, nor has it ever been. It's just that the internet connections are so slow that they often cannot support skype. (They are often so slow that they can't support email!) I know people who have called to Yangon from Europe or the US on skype.

filmwill Nov 12th, 2012 04:52 PM

Kathie,

My understanding is that it was blocked (along with other VoIPs) in the midst of political turmoil.

For reference:
http://www.businessinsider.com/burma-bans-skype-2011-3

lcuy Nov 12th, 2012 04:58 PM

My daughter was able to use Skype once in June.

FromDC Nov 12th, 2012 05:09 PM

I used it in July

filmwill Nov 12th, 2012 05:59 PM

Great...good to know!

And I have, as well, heard all about the slow internet in Burma. Luckily I've been doing some research on places in Yangon especially that have much faster internet -- faster of course being a relative term. (Thorntree is a great place for this kind of info!)

But not planning on communicating much while we're there. Only is nice to know that Skype is available in the off-chance we should need it.

Kathie Nov 12th, 2012 06:05 PM

Listen, when there has been political turmoil in the past, the internet (not just VoIP) has been blocked all together. I have my doubts about that business insider article, as I was communicating with Min Thu and with Santa Maria at that time and had no interruption in service.


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