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Dubai: From next month internet users in Dubai's free zones will be barred from calling phone lines from their PCs using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in an apparent change of heart by the UAE's telecom regulator.
An announcement banning use of VoIP in Dubai Internet City was made to customers by du-owned DIC Telecom, the telecommunications provider for the free zone, in compliance with instructions issued by the UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA).
Telecom operator du says its decision to cut VoIP use for Dubai's free zones was made in accordance with guidelines set down by the UAE telecom regulator, the TRA.
EITC, which operates under the brand name du, said the block covers all free zones and all calls from PC to fixed or mobile phone using the public internet.
Osman Sultan, CEO of du, said: "Following specific instructions from the TRA, VoIP calls made from the UAE using du broadband internet to fixed or mobile phones are blocked by the licence operators.
"The TRA determines the VoIP policy within the UAE. du, as a licenced operator, is obliged to abide by these rules and guidelines."
"All calls from PC to fixed or mobile phones using the public internet will be blocked. The impact will be mainly on international calls. Other VoIP calls such as those from a PC to another PC worldwide are not blocked. Calls could also be received from overseas internet users. However, this service could vary depending on other countries' VoIP policies."
TRA general director Mohammad Al Ganem, said the development is not new.
"This is a clear policy of the TRA and is country-wide, including all free zones. This has been made clear for some time," he said.
Your comments
This is a ban on technology, no developed country including US and Canada have these sorts of restrictions, rather they are promoting the VOIP etc more in their country. UAE should start liberalising when it comes to modern technology.
Sana
Dubai,UAE
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