Let it be a scam or anything. The loss is of 3000 people who will loose their job in India because of problem. As already these telecom companies has hired people for the BPO's and they are sitting idle waiting for the process to be started. Government opposition as well as ruling has to answer these jobless youths. I am really ashamed of our politicians who neither allow us to survive and neither allow others to give a chance also. shame on our politicians.
While the software code has been exposed and commented, guessing Etisalat intentions is an exercise we should refrain from (though the silence of their PR is deafening).
The guessing work feeds on the following facts:
1. SS8 copyright and references are everywhere in the code. Knowing the business SS8.COM is specialized in, everybody is assuming that they botched an interception software by not making it stealth. Hardly convincing... I am not a fan of this guys but they are far from being novices and reckless.
2. Even if the (valid) comments on the code clearly show that this software lacks punch by self-limiting its scope of investigation, nobody seems to question its intended purpose.
3. We are not living in a canonical democratic regime, hence we should not be surprized by this intrusion in our privacy. Humm... Ever heard of Echelon ??
4. RIM reaction to distanciate themselves from this "patch" is a perceived of the confirmation of our worst fears.
There are many possible alternative explanations. I'll give you one to chew on.
Let's suppose that Etisalat wants to independently [without RIM being involved] verify performance and substantiate claims from customers (excessive delays in messages sending/delivery are piling up since they started BlackBerry service) ?
They could have reused and "patched" a code from SS8 for this purpose, without having thoroughly tested it before releasing it.
Caught with their pants down, they might be left with no real good ways to extricate themselves from this situation.
Let's not blame Etisalat. The third party is the one to be blamed, but who is the third party by the way? Etisalat was the only player across the UAE for long time and now Du which is same Etisalat but with different name shares Etisalat the telecommunication market in the UAE. I believe, any one who protects Etisalat monopoly has the power to dictate Etisalat decisions. Whether or not the decisions made by Etisalat or the "Third Party"are ethical or legal, that is a subjective question.
Etisalat is acquiring licenses all over the globe, countries should look closely at Etisalat's practice and be more careful at what Etisalat may be doing in their country's network. They may be spying on VIPs diplomats and other key people in their country, Blacberry's hold sensitive information. This is a serious matter and should be investigated in countries where Etisalat has aquired a telecom license.
Etisalat has been so ill-served by whichever local press-release merchant who does its PR it will probably never recover its international reputation. Those golfball-topped buildings will become the signature of all that is wrong here, lack of transparency, reliance on spin and a total contempt for the consumer. The failure completely of the crisis management procedures that should have been in place are a bad omen for the talkie-talkie industry called PR in this country.
When Etisalat blocks Skype.com or other VOIP sites saying its against the country's culture, and people STILL pay their billats CEO should be appologizing on air to all of his blood donors, while submitting his resignation.
Instead, we read yesterday in the newspapers that Etisalat is Buying ZEIN !
Etisalat is a monopoly, and they set the rules of the game, and until AT&T or TMobile force their way in and give them a run on their money, we are going to pay up, with our mouths shut, while others are paying a tenth for their phone calls.
I really dont think etisalat would even consider giving us an answer. Or rather the answer would be so lame that we would end up dissapointed at first and then laughing at them for they really have no clue what they are saying. They dont really care what anyone thinks or what they do....typical of them after all they are the only operator in UAE, oops I forgot now we have DU as well, which is also a part of the same stream ;).
I just wish this article was posted on the front page of Gulf News tomorrow and WORLDWIDE !!! Always have and will despise Etisalat for their horrible services, I hope DU will now surface as a better and honest player and reach out their services to the rest of the UAE (as Sharjah doesnt avail of their services).
TRA, its about time you killed this monopolistic attitude and allowed competition to enter the country.
RM
Let it be a scam or anything. The loss is of 3000 people who will loose their job in India because of problem. As already these telecom companies has hired people for the BPO's and they are sitting idle waiting for the process to be started. Government opposition as well as ruling has to answer these jobless youths. I am really ashamed of our politicians who neither allow us to survive and neither allow others to give a chance also. shame on our politicians.
Pierre Chandelle
While the software code has been exposed and commented, guessing Etisalat intentions is an exercise we should refrain from (though the silence of their PR is deafening). The guessing work feeds on the following facts: 1. SS8 copyright and references are everywhere in the code. Knowing the business SS8.COM is specialized in, everybody is assuming that they botched an interception software by not making it stealth. Hardly convincing... I am not a fan of this guys but they are far from being novices and reckless. 2. Even if the (valid) comments on the code clearly show that this software lacks punch by self-limiting its scope of investigation, nobody seems to question its intended purpose. 3. We are not living in a canonical democratic regime, hence we should not be surprized by this intrusion in our privacy. Humm... Ever heard of Echelon ?? 4. RIM reaction to distanciate themselves from this "patch" is a perceived of the confirmation of our worst fears. There are many possible alternative explanations. I'll give you one to chew on. Let's suppose that Etisalat wants to independently [without RIM being involved] verify performance and substantiate claims from customers (excessive delays in messages sending/delivery are piling up since they started BlackBerry service) ? They could have reused and "patched" a code from SS8 for this purpose, without having thoroughly tested it before releasing it. Caught with their pants down, they might be left with no real good ways to extricate themselves from this situation.
ZS
Let's not blame Etisalat. The third party is the one to be blamed, but who is the third party by the way? Etisalat was the only player across the UAE for long time and now Du which is same Etisalat but with different name shares Etisalat the telecommunication market in the UAE. I believe, any one who protects Etisalat monopoly has the power to dictate Etisalat decisions. Whether or not the decisions made by Etisalat or the "Third Party"are ethical or legal, that is a subjective question.
Pete
Etisalat is acquiring licenses all over the globe, countries should look closely at Etisalat's practice and be more careful at what Etisalat may be doing in their country's network. They may be spying on VIPs diplomats and other key people in their country, Blacberry's hold sensitive information. This is a serious matter and should be investigated in countries where Etisalat has aquired a telecom license.
Harold B
Etisalat has been so ill-served by whichever local press-release merchant who does its PR it will probably never recover its international reputation. Those golfball-topped buildings will become the signature of all that is wrong here, lack of transparency, reliance on spin and a total contempt for the consumer. The failure completely of the crisis management procedures that should have been in place are a bad omen for the talkie-talkie industry called PR in this country.
Zhani
When Etisalat blocks Skype.com or other VOIP sites saying its against the country's culture, and people STILL pay their billats CEO should be appologizing on air to all of his blood donors, while submitting his resignation. Instead, we read yesterday in the newspapers that Etisalat is Buying ZEIN ! Etisalat is a monopoly, and they set the rules of the game, and until AT&T or TMobile force their way in and give them a run on their money, we are going to pay up, with our mouths shut, while others are paying a tenth for their phone calls.
Sheryar
I really dont think etisalat would even consider giving us an answer. Or rather the answer would be so lame that we would end up dissapointed at first and then laughing at them for they really have no clue what they are saying. They dont really care what anyone thinks or what they do....typical of them after all they are the only operator in UAE, oops I forgot now we have DU as well, which is also a part of the same stream ;).
dphil
I just wish this article was posted on the front page of Gulf News tomorrow and WORLDWIDE !!! Always have and will despise Etisalat for their horrible services, I hope DU will now surface as a better and honest player and reach out their services to the rest of the UAE (as Sharjah doesnt avail of their services). TRA, its about time you killed this monopolistic attitude and allowed competition to enter the country.