iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
The story of a non-resident Bangladeshi family establishing and running the famed perfume company Al Haramain and its successful subsidiaries
KT APPDOWNLOAD
UAE businessman wants ban on WhatsApp, Skype calls lifted
Dubai - Telecom operators have blocked VoIP calls in the UAE.
Khalaf Al Habtoor, chairman, Al Hatboor Group, stressed that UAE telecom firms -- Etisalat and du -- should allow VoIP calls as the UAE strives towards becoming the No. 1 country in everything, including the communications sector.
"I would like to talk about a very important issue. A lot of people complain (about it). A lot of people use WhatsApp and Skype call everywhere in the world. (they're) free all over the world except in my country. The telecom companies (in UAE) are blocking it and not allowing it. Therefore, I like to request the management and directors of these companies to release and free the system and enable everybody to enjoy it," Al Habtoor said in a video statement released on Sunday.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls have been blocked by the UAE telecom firms in the UAE, and residents have to use alternatives provided by local telecom service providers.
Arabic daily Al Ittihad reported earlier this year that the UAE telecom regulator was holding talks with Microsoft and Apple, focusing on the potential lifting of a ban on Skype and FaceTime.
"We always here in the UAE want to be No. 1 in everything. But why we are lagging as far as communication is concerned. Our and our leaders' aim is to be number one. So I request telecom firms to release (VoIP) for everybody in the UAE everywhere," Al Habtoor said.
aheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com
In a country like #UAE, where we aim to always be pioneers in all we do, #WhatsAppCall should not banned when it is accessible everywhere else in the world. I urge mobile carriers in the UAE to lift the ban, a service free to use in the top nations of the world. #KhalafAlHabtoor pic.twitter.com/Lzx0w24rL5
- KhalafAhmadAlHabtoor (@KhalafAlHabtoor) September 9, 2018
More news from
Matches will be played on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day
The plant to be set up in Al Bihouth area is expected to process 900,000 tonnes of waste into energy
The minor didn't take his cellphone or wallet, assuming he'd return quickly
Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of the 2023 season, is hoping to compete at the French Open in May where he is the record 14-time champion
A Good Samaritan offered him a ride to Bur Dubai for free, declining Sahni's attempt to offer payment
Passengers with cancelled bookings will receive a full credit voucher for the amount paid
Passengers must go to the airport only if they have a confirmed reservation
