Internet Still Down As Bigger Protest Brews In Egypt

Web users in Egypt are still crippled by the Internet blackout, with 91 percent of Egypt’s Internet networks currently out of action, but a larger number of anti-Mubarak protesters are rumoured to be planning to hit the streets again tomorrow.

Cairo-based journalist Randa Eltahawy confirmed to eWEEK Europe that the government continues to block the Internet and text messaging services in a bid to stop protesters from co-ordinating the demonstration.

However, people can still make phone calls, and some are able to get online via international network operators. “They rely on overseas-based ISPs and different proxy software such as Hotspot Shield – which has been shared among Facebook users – to circumvent the communications blackout,” said Eltahawy.

It is reported that only one small Egyptian ISP remains functional – the service provider that connects the Egyptian stock exchange.

Dial-up modems

Many Internet users in Egypt are turning to old-fashioned dial-up modems in order to dodge the cyber restriction, according to reports.

Long lists of both local and international numbers that connect to dial-up modems are being shared among web users across the nation, particularly on Twitter, where protest-related messages are tagged with hashes like #Egypt and #jan25.

ISPs in several countries such as the US, Sweden, France and Spain have reportedly set up pools of modems that will receive international calls from Egypt to help facilitate communication. Many companies are even providing the service free of charge.

Bigger protest

Last week, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Cairo and major cities, demanding President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation after his 30-year rule since 1981.

Despite the government-imposed curfew from 3pm to 8pm, “Egypt is expecting a bigger demonstration tomorrow,” said Eltahawy, citing anti-Mubarak activists’ recent call for more supporters.

Meanwhile, The Internet Society (ISOC) expressed concern over the cyber blackout in Egypt, calling it “an inappropriate response to a political crisis” and “a very serious intrusion into people’s basic rights”.

“Cutting off a nation’s access to the Internet only serves to fuel dissent and does not address the underlying causes of dissatisfaction,” said ISOC. “If the blockage continues, it will have a very detrimental impact on Egypt’s economy and society.”

Following the cyber restriction, Hewlett-Packard asked its employees in Cairo to stay at home, while Microsoft is reportedly moving many of its call-centre staff out of Cairo’s ‘Smart Villages’ information technology park.