UAE residents welcome unblocked WhatsApp voice calls

The TRA said the service should not be available and was unaware of any changes that would allow access

ABU DHABI // A global update to WhatsApp appeared to override a block on the free-to-use voice service to the delight of users yesterday, although it was  unclear how long the popular voice service would be available.
A social media hashtag in Arabic was trending for hours after users tested the network yesterday 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 users saw it as good fortune, with one 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, also wrote: "We must all make as many international phone calls as possible today."
 "Life is going to be heavy bills free – with even more mum time", said fellow user Shruti Chhangani.
 Later, users said the service had become problematic again. In some cases, they were able to dial out but could not connect with user.
WhatsApp's calling feature has been blocked in the country since it was launched last November, in line with other VoIP providers such as Viber, Snapchat and Facebook.
Regardless, the unblocking yesterday reignited the debate about  voice calls made using such services.
Saeed Al Remeithi, the youngest member of the Federal National Council, has pushed for greater internet freedom, last year calling restrictions on services such as Snapchat a source of "embarrassment".
"Technology is advancing rapidly in the world today and we cannot miss out on its latest services and features," Al Remeithi yesterday said.  "They are of utmost importance to any UAE resident."
 WhatsApp did not comment on the situation, but a number of tech blogs and reports mentioned that No character style: a global update No character style: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, predicted that the service was working temporarily due to "possible changes to the telco infrastructure".
 However, he said:  "Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely we will have permanent access to these features."
Mr Ali said that such services are the "future of communications".
While UAE providers Du and Etisalat would lose out financially if free internet calls were unblocked, he predicted that "sooner or later the authorities will have to activate it in order 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 resident​s can get in touch with their families abroad – it will be a great Eid gift for all."
The TRA said: "Any [internet phone] 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 communications to become a news source in many countries.
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