So recently, well, as for the past few years, the status of Skype has been a bit shaky. The title of this page is “unblock Skype”, but perhaps it should be something like, “unblock China”, because China can’t really decide what it wants to do.
There are posts hanging around forums back from 2006 asking how to unblock Skype in China. Really? Was is blocked as far back as then? I didn’t know China had internet in 2006.
I came to China in 2007 and used Skype, relatively problem-free. Of course, there were disconnections, slow connection, and days when it just wouldn’t do what I want to do (probably China trying out it’s blocking software), but all in all, it wasn’t officially “blocked”.
I don’t use Skype in China much now, but as of recent, the expat communities here have been spreading rumours about it’s official blocking coming around. Is it here yet?
The official blocking of Skype seems to be on hold for now, but when it comes, it will take along all forms of internet phone calling with it. China isn’t stupid, and google-chat will get the axe as well. None of this comes as a surprise to anyone.
The motivation for China to block Skype is debatable. Communist China-men say that it’s keeping out American Monster corporations and giving small Chinese businesses a chance to catch up. Would you want to play basketball with Kobe? I wouldn’t. Western Hippie activist types say it’s just another example of Chinese propaganda and restriction of freedom. Both have a point.
Get ahead of the game and unblock Skype before it’s blocked. Get a vpn. With a personal vpn service from super-awesome companies like StrongVPN or 12VPN you can change you ip address to something the US or Europe and have unrestricted access to the internet.