Is there any need for a VPN in the US when doing international business?
Nov 9, 2023, 12:29 pm
#1
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Is there any need for a VPN in the US when doing international business?
My husband is discussing business with a distributor in Oman for work in several African countries. The Omani distributor apparently stopped getting texts. My husband was told to get a VPN. My husband is dutifully beginning to look into a VPN. He knows even less about these matters than me, a scary thought, so I am coming here for advice. Is there any reason for him to use a VPN when he is in the US? How does using a VPN aid communication?
Nov 9, 2023, 5:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,459
This is your husband's USA phone number, texting an Omani phone number ?
VPN probably won't help with the above (VPN diverts your internet traffic to another location first , useful when you are overseas trying to acces websites like southwest who block nonUSA traffic).
In your case, seems like your phone provider is having trouble delivering text messages to the Omani phone provider. In the text message, you put the correct country code?
VPN probably won't help with the above (VPN diverts your internet traffic to another location first , useful when you are overseas trying to acces websites like southwest who block nonUSA traffic).
In your case, seems like your phone provider is having trouble delivering text messages to the Omani phone provider. In the text message, you put the correct country code?
Nov 9, 2023, 5:25 pm
#3
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VPN probably won't help with the above (VPN diverts your internet traffic to another location first , useful when you are overseas trying to acces websites like southwest who block nonUSA traffic).
In your case, seems like your phone provider is having trouble delivering text messages to the Omani phone provider. In the text message, you put the correct country code?
Nov 9, 2023, 10:24 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,014
International SMS-type texts are often flakey and often at the whim of either service providers and the government(s) of the day. They're also unencrypted and subject to surveillance. Oman isn't known to be hostile to americans, but if the information going in between (and the subject of the said information) is sensitive enough, it could in theory, be flagged. Don't want to get too into the weeds for this, but something you should be aware of.
My suggestion would be to flip over to a secure messaging app like Signal or whatsapp (more the former than the latter). Communications are encrypted. NOTE: the messages can be edited to a certain extent. If you need to document conversations (eg, CYA), make sure you use a different method of documenting the conversation.
My suggestion would be to flip over to a secure messaging app like Signal or whatsapp (more the former than the latter). Communications are encrypted. NOTE: the messages can be edited to a certain extent. If you need to document conversations (eg, CYA), make sure you use a different method of documenting the conversation.
Nov 10, 2023, 8:07 am
#5
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Just in general, much easier to use a messaging app (or even email) vs SMS/text when dealing with international contacts. I would be surprised if the contact in Oman does NOT have Whatsapp.
Nov 10, 2023, 9:45 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2015
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Nov 10, 2023, 12:21 pm
#9
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Nov 10, 2023, 10:22 pm
#10
fomerly known as LandingGear (not Landing Gear)
Join Date: Feb 2011
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My husband is discussing business with a distributor in Oman for work in several African countries. The Omani distributor apparently stopped getting texts. My husband was told to get a VPN. My husband is dutifully beginning to look into a VPN. He knows even less about these matters than me, a scary thought, so I am coming here for advice. Is there any reason for him to use a VPN when he is in the US? How does using a VPN aid communication?
Nov 11, 2023, 3:23 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2014
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, perhaps the suggestion is to use a VPN while in the USA to simulate calling/messaging from that African country? Or some other combination that relies on 'spoofing' his actual location?
Nov 11, 2023, 9:29 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,014
Please check if he is using WhatsApp. What you are describing falls under that bucket (fixable) or to do with APN (something you are less likely to be able to fix).. If WhatsApp, yes, having a VPN will likely resolve. Just a word of caution. Please stick to the majoy players. The others take more than they give.
The person will need to find another method of communication (encrypted if possible). Messaging apps tend to be easy targets to block. Some email clients support encryption (or through extensions of some sort if they don't support it directly) It depends on how difficult the government wants to make it and how dedicated (and technically knowledgeable) the other parties are.
Nov 13, 2023, 10:11 am
#13
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The Telecommunications Regulation Authority in Oman blocks all VoIP services, including Telegram WhatsApp, Skype etc. They did say at the end of last year they were open to changes on this so long as these companies follow the ‘rules’ . Sadly the rules in Oman may include allowing government snooping, the only one that I am aware of that works in Oman is Ooredoo Talk on Android. That’s from one of the telecom suppliers https://www.ooredoo.om/ but I have no idea about that app and it’s security and am not vouching for it in any way.
My bolding
https://www.omanobserver.om/article/...s-accept-rules
Originally Posted by Oman Observer
The Telecom Regulatory Authority in the Sultanate of Oman is open to adopting changing trends in the sector, it was revealed recently. Speaking to the Observer, Omar Hamdan al Ismaili, CEO of TRA, said, “We welcome companies and programmes or applications that comply with legal frameworks and licenses. We will welcome services such as the OTT or WhatsApp video and audio or other Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services, provided they comply with our regulations.”He added that banning applications have a legal aspect as well as the aspect related to the type of digital content.
On the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), he said, “We follow a flexible policy with the use of VPNs, but if we come across that they have been used for illegal purposes, like in crimes, we do intervene and try to stop such activities. We have certain regulations for VPNs and are currently reviewing their implementation by businesses.”
On the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), he said, “We follow a flexible policy with the use of VPNs, but if we come across that they have been used for illegal purposes, like in crimes, we do intervene and try to stop such activities. We have certain regulations for VPNs and are currently reviewing their implementation by businesses.”
https://www.omanobserver.om/article/...s-accept-rules
Nov 15, 2023, 2:03 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,115
Would iMessage not be an option? I understand the cellular number may not be able to enroll in iMessage in Oman, but texting to an Apple ID instead should still work?
Yes, you need an Apple device, but it doesn't need to be an iPhone. Works on iPad, iPod touch and Mac as well.
Yes, you need an Apple device, but it doesn't need to be an iPhone. Works on iPad, iPod touch and Mac as well.