Technology

UAE BlackBerry users experience service outage

The disruption was first confirmed by Etisalat, via Twitter, in response to queries made by disgruntled customers.

Zaineb Al Hassani

December 19, 2012

  • English
  • Arabic

ABU DHABI // BlackBerry users in the UAE experienced a service outage last night lasting several hours.
The disruption was confirmed by Etisalat, via Twitter, in response to queries made by disgruntled customers.
"Dear customers, kindly note there's a BB service outage," the note said. "Please bear with us, our team is working on solving it. Thanks for your patience."
The outage - not the first to hit customers in the UAE this year - frustrated those who rely on BlackBerrys, said Fatima, a 19-year-old from Sharjah.
"It is really, really annoying because whenever we call the centre they say it will be back in half an  hour and then when we call them back, they tell us the same thing.
"I would rather they be honest and say it's going to take a long time."
The latest disruption has made the teenager reconsider her loyalty to BlackBerry.
"I already have an iPhone, bought for this reason, but I depend on my BlackBerry," said Fatima. "I know it's not dependable, but it's just something I can't let go of. It's easier to connect with people."
A spokesperson for Research in Motion, the BlackBerry maker, said the disruption was caused by a faulty cable but was fixed yesterday evening.

zalhassani@thenational.ae
* with additional reporting by Nadeem Hanif

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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