Thousands of visitors discovered that VoIP applications and features were banned in Qatar during the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Those restrictions are still in place today. The Qatari government, through its telecom regulators, blocks services like Skype, WhatsApp calls, and FaceTime to protect local telecom providers and maintain control over communication networks.
This can be extremely frustrating if you’re in Qatar or planning to travel there, especially if you rely on Skype for work or international calls to avoid expensive fees. The good news is that you can unblock Skype calls in Qatar by changing your IP address to one from a less restrictive country.
A virtual private network (VPN) is the easiest and most effective solution. This article will guide you through the process step by step. Plus, we’ll highlight the best VPN services for unblocking VoIP applications in Qatar.
Why Are Skype Calls Blocked in Qatar?
The Qatari government has never officially explained why it restricts internet calling features on apps like Skype, WhatsApp, and FaceTime. However, the restrictions (dating back to at least 2017) are generally attributed to various factors.
Protecting the interests and revenue streams of Qatar’s two leading ISPs, Ooredoo and Vodafone, is a popular motive attributed to the ban. It’s widely believed that allowing free or low-cost services like Skype would eat into their profits. Of course, Ooredoo and Vodafone offer international call services — at significantly more expensive rates which visitors and expats have no choice but to bear.
Another likely reason is regulatory control. Internet calling services operate outside the traditional telecom framework, which makes them difficult to control. So, the government likely considers them potential security risks. Relatedly, considering Qatar’s online surveillance practices, authorities must find tracking and monitoring VoIP communications on Skype and other applications challenging.
Why You Need a VPN
First, you must understand the basics of how a VPN works. VPNs are services that mask your real IP address and reroute your internet traffic through a remote server in a different location. As a result, it appears to the websites and apps you use like you’re browsing from that location.
As previously mentioned, ISPs in Qatar actively block access to VoIP services. However, when you connect to a VPN server in another country, your ISP can’t see that you’re trying to use Skype, so it can’t block your access. Instead, as far as Skype is concerned, you’re connecting from a country where VoIP services work just fine.
It can go even beyond that. For example, if you only use the VPN’s essential features, your ISP can see you’re connected to a VPN server. However, advanced cloaking features like obfuscation can hide even that, disguising your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic.
How to Unblock Skype Calls in Qatar With a VPN
Now, let’s get down to business. Follow the four broad steps below, and you will be making Skype calls in no time, despite Qatar’s restrictions. Unblocking Skype is pretty easy, provided you’re using one of the highly rated VPN services we’ll recommend shortly.
Step 1: Sign Up With a Reliable VPN Service
First, start by registering for a VPN with servers in nearby less-restrictive countries. Visit the VPN website, select a subscription plan that fits your budget, and complete the checkout process.
Our recommendation is NordVPN. It’s got an extensive network of blazing-fast servers and offers blazing-fast connection speeds. Right now, all NordVPN plans are available at a generous discount when you click the button below. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it out risk-free.
Step 2: Install the VPN App
After signing up, download the VPN application for your device from the website or an official app store. Any VPN worth using has native apps for every operating system that supports Skype, so you should be covered.
Follow the usual steps to install. If you encounter any issues, visit the VPN’s resource base or contact a customer support representative.
Step 3: Connect to a VPN Server
Sign in to the VPN app with your account details. Next, head on over to the server menu and connect to a nearby location without a ban on VoIP services. Allow a few seconds for the VPN to activate the connection.
Step 4: Make Skype Calls in Qatar
Once the VPN confirms a successful connection, you’re ready to go. Sign into the Skype app and make calls as usual.
If the restriction appears to be still in place, switch to a different server, restart Skype, and try again.
The Best VPNs for Making Skype Calls in Qatar
Use the wrong VPN, and you could end up getting stuck in Step 4 without successfully making a call. Or, even if the call connects, you could experience lagging or poor voice/video quality.
Conversely, a solid Qatar VPN can easily bypass those issues. It would also come with fast servers for smooth calls, high-level security features, and a strict no-logs policy for privacy. Not all VPNs check those boxes, but after extensive testing, we’ve rounded up the best options:
9200 servers
167 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.1 /10
27000 servers
91 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
9 /10
1. NordVPN
Not only is this industry giant great for making internet calls, it’s undoubtedly the overall best VPN for Qatar.
NordVPN handles geo-blocking and network restrictions like a champ. During our tests, we could make Skype calls in Qatar as soon as we connected to a server. There were no connectivity issues, and we never had to switch servers. We’ve had similar success while attempting to unblock WhatsApp calls in nearby Saudi Arabia.
NordVPN comes with a massive fleet of super-fast servers in 118 countries. You’ll likely connect to those servers through the VPN’s custom protocol, NordLynx, which is a reworking of the speed-friendly WireGuard. NordVPN is the fastest VPN on the block, which usually translates to crystal-clear calls.
You get all the basic VPN security features plus plenty more. There’s military-grade AES-256 encryption, an advanced kill switch, DNS leak protection, and multi-layer protection tools like Double VPN and Onion over VPN. On top of that, NordVPN doesn’t store any logs that could lead back to you, a claim independent auditors have confirmed multiple times.
Setting up and using NordVPN is relatively easy. However, it has a helpful, responsive customer support team available around the clock should you encounter any issues. Broadly compatible, a single subscription covers ten simultaneous connections and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. ExpressVPN
If NordVPN’s UI looks good but feels a bit overwhelming, ExpressVPN may be the better alternative.
There’s more to this VPN than its intuitive, user-friendly design, though. For instance, you’re also getting exceptional unblocking capabilities. We’ve pitched ExpressVPN against censorship in various countries over the years, and it almost always passes with flying colors. Impressively, one of those times was when it overcame the Great Firewall to unblock WhatsApp in China.
ExpressVPN’s collection of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries includes multiple locations near Qatar. That eliminates the need for distance connections. Still, when we tested the VPN by connecting to a server thousands of miles away while plugged into its proprietary Lightway protocol, it delivered smooth calling experiences without lagging.
While allowing you to make hitch-free Skype calls in Qatar, ExpressVPN secures your data from snoops and online nasties. It implements bank-level encryption alongside features like a super-reliable kill switch, protection against DNS leaks, and RAM-only servers that wipe clean after each reboot.
If you can use Skype on it, rest assured ExpressVPN has you covered with a native app for it. Plus, one account can unlock internet calls on up to eight devices at the same time. When you sign up, you receive the guarantee of a full refund if you’re unimpressed — as long as you request your money back within 30 days.
3. Private Internet Access
Looking to save money on a subscription without enduring a huge dropoff in quality? Private Internet Access, the most affordable VPN on this list, also ranks among the best VPN services.
Private Internet Access also has the most expansive pool of servers on the market, with connection points in Qatar and its environs. While it doesn’t match NordVPN’s unblocking capabilities, we had no complaints during our tests. After all, it made short work of the restrictions on VoIP applications in Qatar.
At the end of the day, performance trumps sheer server count, and PIA delivers impressive connection speeds. As a result, you’ll never have to worry about dropped calls or laggy connections. You can even stream online videos in UHD without pesky buffering.
Private Internet Access takes your privacy pretty seriously. It covers all the basics and even includes a few security features not found anywhere else. Also, all its apps are open-source, meaning you can look under the hood for vulnerabilities if you know how.
All the popular operating systems are supported with dedicated apps. Also, no need for multiple accounts ever, as Private Internet Access generously allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Its customer service team is always on standby to address any issues or concerns.
VPN Best Practices for Quality Skype Calling in Qatar
These tips can prove helpful while using a Qatari VPN for Skype calls:
- Choose the right VPN location: Your server location matters. Select a location in a country without restrictions on VoIP services like Skype. Nearby locations like Bahrain or Israel work best for smooth connections. However, you could opt for a not-so-distant Western country like Greece or Italy to be safe.
- High-Quality Protocols: Enable modern protocols that balance speed and security, like WireGuard. Some VPNs, like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, have excellent proprietary protocols.
- Enable Obfuscation: If your VPN has advanced features like obfuscation, turn it on. The stealth tool will disguise your VPN traffic. It also makes it easier to bypass censorship measures.
- Wired over Wireless: Got both? Go with a wired connection. VPNs can slow down your internet, even though the top providers are generally faster than others. However, wired connections offer lower latency and more stability for smoother Skype calls.
Can You Unblock Skype Calls With a Free VPN?
You probably can, but we generally don’t recommend it. At a pinch, any of the best free VPNs could unblock Skype calling in Qatar. However, even providers in this category have several limitations.
For starters, free VPNs typically only offer a handful of servers. Because you have fewer connection options, you’re likely to encounter overcrowded servers and slow connection speeds. That’s a big problem when it comes to internet calls. Imagine how frustrating it can be when trying to make an important call.
Besides, many free VPNs impose strict bandwidth limits. A few Skype calls could eat through your data allowance in no time, leaving you without a working connection. Worse still, many free VPNs make money by logging and selling user data, which puts your data and privacy at risk.
When you weigh it all up, a quality premium VPN is the way to go. You can check out these great VPN free trials and money-back guarantees if the budget is a serious consideration.
Final Thoughts
While you can still send messages, VoIP calling has been restricted in Qatar for several years. That’s a major inconvenience for the thousands of visitors and foreign residents who must rely on expensive alternatives—until they use a VPN.
A reliable VPN masks your IP address and reroutes your traffic through a server in another country. Using one to unblock Skype calls in Qatar is simple, and this guide breaks it all down. We’ve also highlighted the best VPNs to choose from.
NordVPN, our top pick, is available at a generous discount. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to try it out risk-free.