UAE to introduce VoIP services "soon"

UAE to introduce VoIP services “soon”

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is planning to…

January 5, 2010 5:56 by kippreport

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is planning to announce a new policy to make international internet calls via Voice over IP (VoIP) services legally available in the UAE, reports Khaleej Times.

“The TRA is in the process of implementing a new VoIP policy. It is expected that this policy will be published soon, and will be made available on the TRA website. Pursuant to this new policy, customers may obtain VoIP services only through the licensees, Etisalat and du. The exception to this will be certain prescribed uses, which deal with educational and public interest purposes,” the TRA told the paper.

International VoIP providers such as Skype were banned in 2004, and in October last year, officials had said that the policy would be out by end-2009.