UAE-based users of Skype have started a campaign to relax restrictions on the Microsoft-owned phone and video service. Dado Ruvic / Reuters
UAE-based users of Skype have started a campaign to relax restrictions on the Microsoft-owned phone and video service. Dado Ruvic / Reuters
UAE-based users of Skype have started a campaign to relax restrictions on the Microsoft-owned phone and video service. Dado Ruvic / Reuters
UAE-based users of Skype have started a campaign to relax restrictions on the Microsoft-owned phone and video service. Dado Ruvic / Reuters

Skype and WhatsApp accord needed for calls, says du


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Du, the UAE's second largest telecoms provider, insisted it is open to offering voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services such as Skype and WhatsApp calling over its network, provided such services are offered in partnership with operators, according to a senior executive.

Skype, which is available over fixed but not mobile internet connections in the UAE, abruptly stopped working completely a month ago in the UAE, with the service gradually coming back online a few days later.

Fahad Al Hassawi, du's chief commercial officer, told The National that the operator had no objection to allowing VoIP calling services over its network, but that formal agreements had to be signed between the networks and providers first.

“We have an open invitation to any provider, be it WhatsApp, Skype or whoever, to come and partner with us, and we can come up with the right offering that falls within the licensing requirements here in the UAE,” said Mr Al Hassawi.

“There’s an obligation on us as operators to make sure that we’re offering such services according to the terms of our licence from the regulator.”

The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said during last month’s Skype outage that its policy on VoIP services was unchanged and that such services could only be provided by licensed telecoms operators.

Skype for its part said that its website and services had been blocked by both du and Etisalat. “Unfortunately, there is very little Skype can do about this situation,” it said.

The outage came days after WhatsApp voice and video calling briefly became available in the UAE after previously having been restricted, only for the service to disappear a day later.

WhatsApp and Skype were unavailable for comment on Sunday.

Small business owners and other UAE residents expressed frustration at the time over the Skype and WhatsApp outages, saying restrictions on such services are at odds with the country's attempts to encourage the growth of SMEs.

Operators have in the past argued against the formal introduction of VoIP services on their networks, arguing that the resulting erosion of international call revenues hinder their ability to invest in their networks.

Speaking at the opening of du's store in Yas Mall on Sunday , Mr Al Hassawi said the operator had approached VoiP providers in the past, but doubted their enthusiasm to strike partnership deals.

“Each of those providers are global companies that have certain priorities for certain markets and certain strategies that they tend to stick to worldwide,” he said. “So I don’t believe they’ve reached a point where they feel the time is right for them to have these discussions at a country level, but we’ll continue extending our invitation to them and we can have these discussions.”

Both du and Etisalat are due to release second-quarter earnings figures this week.

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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

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7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
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8.15pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Soft Whisper, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.

9.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
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9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
List of alleged parties
  • May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
  • 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
  • Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson 
  • Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
  • Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters 
  • Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
  • Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party 
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
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Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Results for Stage 2

Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race

Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)

Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)

Key facilities
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  • Premier League-standard football pitch
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  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How tumultuous protests grew
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ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
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Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
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Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz