Source: voipcentral.org

It is a ban in guise. The Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) of UAE has asserted the VoIP market is open only for the incumbent telecom service providers, such as Etisalat and du. Thus, there is no scope for the other companies to enter into local market.

Al Ghanim, Director General of TRA was quoted while saying,

Some of the press misinterpreted our press release [regarding VoIP] by suggesting the technology would be opened up to all companies. This is not the case. It will only be Etisalat and du that can provide VoIP.

It is not a healthy trend. No competition means monopoly. The customers will be the ultimate losers since they will be left with no more options but to accept what is being provided to them.

The market should be liberalized for the growth of emerging VoIP technology. The regulatory authority will closely monitor the activities of service providers to prevent illegal VoIP.

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Source: voipcentral.org

The decision like this, would certainly create a conducive atmosphere for the growth of VoIP, which I always said a budding technology in the Asian regions.

The media reports over the last few days make us to speculate UAE is on its way to relax the ban on VoIP in their country.
A TRA (Telecommunication Regulator Authority) official explained the regulatory body is working on a phased approach to bring VoIP in the local market.

However, the TRA has maintained silent regarding the deadline for the lifting of ban on VoIP services.

Way back to February this year, the regulatory body has banned VoIP services in free zones of Dubai. We no need to explain the status of Skype in UAE. It has been blocked a number of times.

Source: voipcentral.org

Even though a clear cut picture is not emerging regarding the state of VoIP in UAE (United Arab Emirates), the incumbent telecom service provider, Etisalat has shown interest to bring VoIP to the people.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of UAE has banned all sorts of Internet calls in the free zones of Dubai two weeks ago. Interestingly, Etisalat has come forward to offer VoIP services to the customers despite ban, the Gulf News reported.

Nasser Salim, Vice President of Network Development at Etisalat made a strong comment at the Seventh Global Symposium for Regulators while saying,

As banning VoIP is losing a battle, Etisalat is studying how it might offer the technology to consumers. VoIP has really reduced revenue for telcos, and some countries are even banning it … But you cannot sustain such a ban. It’s coming.

It would be too early to rejoice over Etisalat assertion unless we really feel the presence of VoIP in the country.

Source: voipcentral.org

No competition means absolute monopoly. The consumers will be the ultimate losers since they will have no more options but to adopt what is provided to them. This would be state of VoIP in UAE.

The UAE has once again asserted that there are no immediate plans to lift the current ban on the provision of third party VoIP calls in the country.

Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Communication said,

Both du and Etisalat will be badly affected by the introduction of this service here. This is a decision that has to be decided by them, the government and the users .

Any move to allow VoIP must be in complete cooperation with local telecoms operators Etisalat and du, he added.

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Source: voipcentral.org

The Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRI) of UAE has hinted that the regulatory body is likely to lift the ban on VoIP next month. However, the relaxation would be applicable for the incumbent service providers who hold licensees for the service.

The message is straight and clear. TRI does not like to allow Skype or any foreign players in the domestic VoIP market.

If applied with effect, the incumbents Etisalat and Du will face no competition. No competition means absolute monopoly. The consumers are the ultimate losers since they will have no more options but to adopt what is provided to them.

Two months back, I have written here how the UAE customers reacted when the TRI imposed ban on VoIP. I am sure the UAE customers will demand for Skype even though they are ensured VoIP services of Etisalat.

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Source: voipcentral.org

The Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRI) of UAE indicated that it is now contemplating lifting the ban on VoIP by the middle of next year, according to this report.

As of now, there are restrictions on VoIP calls (PC to phone calls using Internet) in UAE because of Etisalats monopoly. A TRA official pointed out that the Regulatory authority is studying all the aspects of the ban on VoIP facilities. If they find it is necessary to lift the ban, then there would be reversal in the decision.

Welcoming TRAs positive gesture on VoIP, the emerging VoIP service provider Efonica, a subsidiary of Fusion said,

The lifting of the ban on VoIP will further highlight the UAE’s stature as an early adopter of best technology. We are confident that VoIP will open up new opportunities in communications and allow regional and international companies based in the UAE to become even more competitive.

The companys CEO, Roger Karam explained that the decision to review VoIPs implementation is a positive step. The company is keen see that the UAE also becomes an important part of this global revolution.

Source: voipcentral.org

The Internet users of UAE have expressed their deep concerns at the incumbent telecos Etisalats hard steps that deprive them to access VoIP services in the country.

After unsuccessful in blocking Skype in UAE, Etisalat, the internet service provider of the country is now targeting the SIP traffic using a packet filter technology.

As we know, the packet filter technology is the most convenient technology than the port blocking which was used in the past. It is very easy to break the barriers of port blocking as it can be changed at the client end. However, packet filtering is a permanent block to data transfer, but not for the Skype.

Established facts show that Etisalat is itself a VoIP user depending as much as 40 percent of its international calls across VoIP gateways. Still, it gears up to block VoIP services.

It appears like that the state-run telecom service provider considers the existence of foreign VoIP service providers pose potential threat for its growth.

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