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Discuss this article (20 Comments)UAE set to unblock Skype for mobile service
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Sunday, 18 October 2009
VOIP POLICY: The UAE's TRA said on Sunday it was working on a new policy regarding voice over internet technology. (Getty Images)
The UAE's telecom regulator is in discussions with the federation’s two service providers to introduce VoIP, or voice-over-internet-protocol services, Mohamed al-Ghanim said in an interview in Dubai on Sunday.
“I’m in discussions with the mobile operators regarding the introduction of VoIP,” said al-Ghanim, director general of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
“There is a tariff-fee balancing issue that we need to address as well because of subsidies.”
Related: Banned Skype plans Gulf HQ
The UAE blocks internet-based calls through providers such as Skype and Yahoo, which it considers illegal.
Licensing issues are the reason for the ban and the authority will “upgrade our VoIP policy soon,” al-Ghanim added.
The federation’s two telecom providers, Etisalat and Du, have until the end of this year to reach an infrastructure-sharing agreement that will help reduce internet charges in 2010, al-Ghanim said.
Internet penetration among member states is between “65 percent and 67 percent” and “we are targeting 100 percent penetration in the next two years,” he said.
Internet penetration has lagged behind the more than 200 percent mobile penetration rate because prices remain high, he added.
The federation is conducting a strategic study on the number of operators needed, al-Ghanim said.
“We are becoming more cautious about having additional suppliers of communication services in the U.A.E.” to avoid hurting current operators at a time of economic crisis and to allow for continued investment in telecom infrastructure, al-Ghanim added.
For full coverage of GITEX, see ITP.net
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Internet rates are a rip-off in the UAE if you compare them to Taiwan or Thailand
Posted by Andy, Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday 27 October 2009 at 06:48 UAE time
Here is a good link that shows prices around the world and shows just how expensive rates are in the UAE. To be exact the rates are absurd to say the least..
http://gizmodo.com/5390014/internet-speeds-and-costs-around-the-world-shown-visually
Posted by Andy, Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday 27 October 2009 at 06:48 UAE time
Here is a good link that shows prices around the world and shows just how expensive rates are in the UAE. To be exact the rates are absurd to say the least..
http://gizmodo.com/5390014/internet-speeds-and-costs-around-the-world-shown-visually
Big Brother AJ
Posted by charles, dubai, uae on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 06:47 UAE time
oh dear AJ, how sad to read your comments. Now that you have told teacher that people dont like you and your comments what next? Shut down web 2.0 so you can only read like minded view? How very sad you appear .
Posted by charles, dubai, uae on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 06:47 UAE time
oh dear AJ, how sad to read your comments. Now that you have told teacher that people dont like you and your comments what next? Shut down web 2.0 so you can only read like minded view? How very sad you appear .
GCC TRAs
Posted by Harry Barracuda, Manama, Bahrain on Wednesday 21 October 2009 at 17:51 UAE time
If the GCC TRAs worked together and negotiated bandwidth as a single entity on behalf of all GCC countries, then they could bring the international bandwidth costs right down. But they're so paranoid about each other that they won't let this happen.
Posted by Harry Barracuda, Manama, Bahrain on Wednesday 21 October 2009 at 17:51 UAE time
If the GCC TRAs worked together and negotiated bandwidth as a single entity on behalf of all GCC countries, then they could bring the international bandwidth costs right down. But they're so paranoid about each other that they won't let this happen.
Misdirected Audience
Posted by AJ on Tuesday 20 October 2009 at 22:54 UAE time
AB
It seems there's blogging, with extremely personal comments, usually on Arabian'BUSINESS'.com. There are actually so MANY other news articles of true 'business' nature on this website, but the usual/regular bloggers prefer to keep riffing about their personal vendetta on articles/posts that really carry lesser business value, than others that carry more business value AND that are completely ignored.
No point in getting into specifics here (as some 'regular' bloggers might request). In general, I'd like all readers to at least appreciate that fact that e-journalism is not just about letting you people air out your frustration. Please restrict yourselves to better commentary, or least read ALL relevant articles/posts before you comment.
Posted by AJ on Tuesday 20 October 2009 at 22:54 UAE time
AB
It seems there's blogging, with extremely personal comments, usually on Arabian'BUSINESS'.com. There are actually so MANY other news articles of true 'business' nature on this website, but the usual/regular bloggers prefer to keep riffing about their personal vendetta on articles/posts that really carry lesser business value, than others that carry more business value AND that are completely ignored.
No point in getting into specifics here (as some 'regular' bloggers might request). In general, I'd like all readers to at least appreciate that fact that e-journalism is not just about letting you people air out your frustration. Please restrict yourselves to better commentary, or least read ALL relevant articles/posts before you comment.
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