ABU DHABI // A global update to WhatsApp appeared to override a block on the free-to-use voice service to the delight of users on Thursday, athough it was not clear how long the popular messaging service would be available.
A social media hashtag in Arabic trended for hours, after users tested the network on Thursday morning.
WhatsApp’s call functions are not licensed in the UAE, meaning they are effectively blocked. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority said the service should not be available and was unaware of any changes that would allow access.
But the development was welcomed among its users.
On Twitter some saw it as a windfall, with one tweeter describing it as an early “Eid Al Fitr gift”.
Noora Al Marzooqi, a Dubai television presenter, wrote on Twitter: “Many expats will want to connect with their families during Eid.”
Sultan Al Suwadi, from Abu Dubai, in turn, wrote: “We must all make as many international phone calls as possible today.”
“Life is going to be heavy bills free – with even more mom time” said another user, Shruti Chhangani.
Later in the day, users said the service turned problematic again. In some cases, users were able to dial out but could not connect to users on the other end.
WhatsApp’s call feature has been blocked in the country since it was launched last November, in line with other internet calling services from providers such as Viber, Snapchat and Facebook.
Regardless, the unblocking on Thursday reignited the debate around voice calls over such services.
Saeed Al Remeithi, the youngest member of the Federal National Council, has previously pushed for greater internet freedom, last year calling restrictions on services like Snapchat a source of embarrassment.
“Technology is advancing rapidly in the world today and we cannot miss out on its latest services and features,” he said on Thursday.
“They are of utmost importance to any UAE resident.”
WhatsApp did not comment on the situation, but a number of tech blogs and reports said a global software update took place on Wednesday.
“WhatsApp’s global update was the main element in activating the calls and video feature,” Mr Al Remeithi said.
Abbas Jaffar Ali, founder of the UAE tech news website, TBreak, said the service is working temporarily owing to “possible changes to the telco infrastructure”.
He continuted that, “Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely we will have permanent access to these features.”
Mr Ali said that such services are the “future of communications”.
UAE providers du and Etisalat would lose out financially if free internet calls were unblocked, but he predicted that “sooner or later the authorities will have to activate it to keep up with the rest of the world”.
“It would be nice if the authorities can let this slide until after Eid Al Fitr holidays so residents can get in touch with their families abroad – it will be a great Eid gift for all.”
The TRA said: “Any such applications or services must be in compliance with the UAE’s telecommunication regulations that allow VoIP services to be provided in the country only by licensed telecom operators.”
WhatsApp has more than 1.2 billion active users It has branched out from just providing communications to become a news source in many countries.
For the past two years The National has distributed daily business headlines to subscribers on +971 156 995 1624.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
