Skype (News - Alert) users in the United Arab Emirates might have found themselves in a bit of a pinch recently, when the VoIP calling service was blocked. However, they no longer need to worry about that, as the ban has been lifted and Skype is now available for all in the UAE.
The telecom operator Etisalat had kept Skype blocked for some time now, so while the end of this ban made Twitter (News - Alert) erupt in celebration, the Etisalat itself remained mostly quiet about it, with just a tweet and Facebook post announcing it. Du, the other telecom operator in the UAE, is also allowing users to download and use Skype, though it hasn’t made any announcements at all.
Both of them sell VoIP calling cards, but have not made free calls to Internet subscribers available until now.With Skype becoming widely available, however, they may take a small hit to revenues, but it will be made up for in customer satisfaction.
Perhaps coincidentally, Windows Live Messenger begins to go down in some areas of the world at the same time, so that Microsoft (News - Alert) can push Skype toward users of its old messenger service.
There’s no word yet on whether or not the UAE has fully lifted its ban on Skype and other VoIP calling services, but it’s a good sign nonetheless. There have been previous times the ban has been lifted, only for it to be reinstated, but hopefully this time will be for keeps.
Skype, and other similar VoIP calling programs, are incredibly useful for keeping in touch with colleagues, acquaintances, friends, and family across the Internet. It provides free instant messaging, voice, and video calls, with a paid option with more capabilities, and has quickly become one of the most popular online messaging programs available. For it to be blocked anywhere is a travesty, so the UAE dropping its ban is cause for cautious celebration as we wait and see how it plays out.Edited by Rory J. Thompson