Internet and Cell Phone Blackout Lifted in Egypt
Internet and cell phone service was restored to Egyptians on Wednesday following a weeklong blackout. The Egyptian government placed an unprecedented communications ban on Internet and mobile devices, severely handicapping the ability of Egyptians to communicate with the world.
An Internet brewed uprising of dissidents calling for the resignation of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak led to the communications blackout in Egypt. Mubarak received criticism from world leaders and human rights groups on his handling of the crisis.
Henry Ford once said, “If there is any great secret of success in life, it lies in the ability to put yourself in the other person’s place and to see things from his point of view – as well as your own.” Social network services such as Facebook and Twitter allow Egyptians to share their plights with families, friends and concerned individuals around the world. The dissident population includes young, politically active and tech-savvy Egyptians capable of providing eyewitness reports on the countries turmoil. With assistance from Google and Twitter Egyptians have limited capability to tell their stories using the newly launched “Speak2Tweet” service. Other Egyptians were able to gain access to the Internet and communicate by bypassing the Internet blockage using Internet proxies.
The Egyptian crisis has escalated since communications were restored. The country is in pandemonium after Mubarak announced he would not seek another presidential term and pro-Mubarak supporters commit acts of violence against anti-government protesters. The world continues to watch and listen to the Egyptian people, hoping for a peaceful resolution.
For more information see:
Egypt restores Internet as turmoil escalates
Google launches voice-to-tweet service for offline Egyptians
Egypt's Internet block incomplete but not damaging
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