Skype wants exlanation from the Egyptian government

Skype, having over 500 million users worldwide, has questioned Egypt's intention to forbid international calls made through mobile Internet connections. The company also claims the necessity to left consumers an option.

Earlier this month Amr Badawy, National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority head, unveiled its plans to ban international calls through mobile Internet connections.

Egypt's ban follows the earlier in the month United Arab Emirates decision not to award VoIP licenses to international companies such as Skype.

The ban refers to Egypt's three mobile operators, Mobinil, Etisalat Egypt and Vodafone Egypt, offering Internet access for computers via USB and other mobile modems, and also mobile handsets.

Egyptian law requires international calls to pass through a network of state-controlled, fixed-line monopoly Telecom Egypt.

As Skype said in an e-mail statement, it was "seeking clarification" from the regulator about the reported ban. "In general, we believe it should be up to consumers, not regulatory authorities, to choose the winners and losers in the communications space. That is what happens in competitive markets," the company said.