|
|
UAE to lift ban on cheap web calls
By Michele Howe on Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) yesterday announced that it was studying market reaction to VoIP, according to a report in local newspaper Khaleej Times.
Related Articles
A timeline for the introduction of VoIP has not yet been fixed, he added.
VoIP, the routing of voice conversations over the internet, is currently heavily proscribed in the UAE, as well as other parts of the Middle East, and the use of Skype is frequently blocked.While the introduction of VoIP has been widely anticipated in the UAE, Al Ghanim last year said that only Etisalat and du would be allowed to provide such services.
Related Comment
Related Feature
Forging ahead
Comms
The Arab Advisors' Conference brought together the top telecom executives in the Arab world to discuss the defining issues...
Related Feature
du lays down the future
Networks
The second telecom operator of the UAE has joined a consortium to put in place a 15,000 kilometre cabling system, at a total...
Latest Readers Comments
-
More ATM card fraud in UAE and Qatar
Nourhan Beyrouti: CARD Fraud »
11 Oct '08 at 11:00 -
CAC Bank to deploy iris scanners
bankobserver: Surely this is the answer to the UAE's ATM Fraud Problems? »
10 Oct '08 at 16:31 -
Legal download 2.0 - Concluding Contracts on the World Wide Web - a UAE Perspective
Steve Bush: Source of emails (like faxes) is unverifiable »
10 Oct '08 at 12:27 -
Batelco introduces free incoming roaming
Mourad: Batelco is far more the best »
9 Oct '08 at 17:46 -
UAE 'pervasively' censors content online
bipin: not use of broadband if content blocked »
9 Oct '08 at 12:15
Competitions
Win the ultimate mobile phone!
Ends On Saturday, 15 November 2008
This is a multi-functional smartphone with every feature mobile users could possibly need – and despite its huge array of features, it remains very easy to use.
Advertising Features 
Latest Products
Nero Burning Rom 8
Software | Applications | September 2008
The latest version of Nero's Burning ROM software is more functional than ever before.
RATING 
Acer Aspire 6920g
Hardware | Notebooks | September 2008
Aspires to be a desktop replacement and largely succeeds.
RATING
BenQ DC X800
Hardware | Digital Imaging | September 2008
BenQ's DC X800 has the looks but does this snapper really have the 'X' factor?
RATING
Sony Cybershot DSC-H50
Hardware | Digital Imaging | September 2008
It's got the range for distant shots but do you have the ability to keep still?
RATING
|
|
Technology Jobs
- MOST EMAILED
- MOST COMMENTED
Events Calendar
2008
Visit Our Sister Sites:
- ArabianBusiness.com
- ArabianBusiness.com/Arabic
- ArabianBusiness.com/Markets
- ArabianBusiness.com/Jobs
- ArabianBusiness.com/Property
- ITP.net
- TimeOutDubai.com
- Ahlan! Live
- Masala.com
- TimeOutTickets.com
- Spectrum
- TimeOutAbuDhabi.com
- Ahlan.ae
- Grazia.ae
- VivaMagazine.ae
- ITP.com
- ConstructionWeekDirectory
User Comments (13 comments) 
Posted by vinodnp, abudhabi, United Arab Emirates on 23 July 2008 at 13:09 UAE time
It is a good thinking to allow people communicate more and also a very important matter of growing technology which is already in many countries by now. More education, business and love will rise if there is no ban in VOIP allowed in a country as there will be many ways to call and be in touch. Me being a IT officer is really happy to hear this. Wish more and more technology be adapted and people are aware of it.
Posted by Ashraf Pasha, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 23 July 2008 at 12:18 UAE time
Hey.. its started to pain.. How long should I keep my fingers crossed. I think they are asleep and dreaming.
Posted by Mohammad Jamal, Dubai,London on 22 July 2008 at 04:14 UAE time
It is a great matter of shame that Technology is growing one side without restriction but authorities are not allowing people to use it. Countries like United Kingdom and United States (and many more) have all these facilities for their people. As an Islamic country, authorities should listen more to the people and should do in favor of majority. I personally, became happy to know that authority will lift ban from low cost or Internet calls, as many people are still suffering from just not to be in touch with their families and friends. Hope to get the facility in lesser time from now.
Posted by faisal, london, uk on 16 June 2008 at 22:54 UAE time
I do not see that how the government can attract the business community who are focusing their business in Dubai or the UAE without giving them cheap communication facilities. The world has changed with a lot of facilities and business trends have moved on. Does the telecoms authorities think that this much higher rates can help someone to help boost their business?
I came here with a lot of plans but banks and a lack of facilities compared to the UK and other European countries make me want to go there. To be tax free is fine but hidden charges cost us more.
Posted by Eva Lambert, Wicklow, Ireland on 29 May 2007 at 18:04 UAE time
Skype and MSN are wonderful. Essential for a small business such as ours. You can communicate your business to the maximum. And for the old phone, you will still use it. It is the best for the closer calls (sound quality etc.). We make our introduction calls on Skype but follow it up with our normal phone. It would be lovely to be in weekly communication with our dear friends in Dubai. Missing their voices dearly. Invaluable. More communication equals better understanding.
Posted by Antony George, Dubai, UAE on 27 May 2007 at 11:00 UAE time
The world of Information Technology is evolving at a tremendous pace. With cummunication being so vital, be it on the professional, commercial or personal front, people and countries should be able to use such technologies to their benefit and administrations, ministries and server operators should make this available for its customers free. Revenue is already being generated through the rentals of the various kinds of accounts used by the customers.
Posted by Sajeev Joseph, Dubai, UAE on 24 May 2007 at 19:00 UAE time
It is very unfortunate that a fast developing state like Dubai doesnt allow low rate internet phone calls. It is nowhere proved that the other countries telephone provider is on loss because they have allowed the low rate VoIP. In this modern world, the authorities in UAE must think in a positive way as they do in most of the other matters. Technology is developing and people should have all ways of communication which are available in the World.
Posted by John, Bur Dubai, Dubai on 24 May 2007 at 11:00 UAE time
It has been great time that UAE govt lift the ban on the VOIP services and boost the IT Telecommunication...thru either Etisalat or Du....Hope to see this dream become reality...
Posted by Sandlander, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 24 May 2007 at 09:00 UAE time
The simple answer is that telephone calls generated by the large number of expatriates resident in the UAE can be assumed to be a significant source of revenue for the incumbent duopoly.
At the same time, there is a drive to encourage the establishment of a 'knowledge based economy' in the region. Which implies that no major technological breakthroughs - like VoIP - can be completely ignored.
The outcome will be the reluctant introduction of a VoIP product here in the region with a business model similar to the paid-for 'Skype out' service, ensuring a certain level of earnings for Du and/or Etisalat. But the question remains whether the UAE VoIP product will include interoperability with existing international systems, for example free calling from a 'Du out' to a Skype user.
Posted by Ram, AUH on 24 May 2007 at 08:00 UAE time
Welcome to the most anticipated network.....VOIP
Posted by Kirit Bhatt, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 24 May 2007 at 07:00 UAE time
Blocking economical services/products hurts everyone. Government needs to look into what is an economical package for consumers instead of providers.
Posted by Bruno Veninga, Dubai, UAE on 23 May 2007 at 22:00 UAE time
I agree with Mohamed. I think that using VoIP is second to Freedom of Speech, which I get the impression that the UAE is really starting to advocate currently. I was amazed at first when I heard that the UAE and other Gulf countries block VoIP, especially when one of the biggest factors of growth is the number of expats in the Gulf. The local phone providers should be trying to get into this market to assist in their profits rather than trying to block it to keep a monopoly on phone calls. It is called competition... monopolies never work in the long run. To keep a long story short... I am very pleased to hear that they are starting to change their minds and progressing towards a more healthy attitude towards the use of the internet, such as for VoIP. Good news!
Posted by Mohamed, Delhi, India on 23 May 2007 at 19:00 UAE time
I would like to tell in this matter. I heard that all over the world Information Technologhy is developing. One of the development Information VoIP. to communicate the people very fast and low price. Why UAE governments not allowed in this Technologhy for outside people who serve their country.