TRA spells it out over VoIP

The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has reiterated its position on voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP), following press reports earlier in the week that its provision had been approved. TRA spokesman Adnan Al Bahar said, ‘We have issued a very clear statement that VoIP is illegal until legalised,’ adding that a regulatory framework had been drafted, but there is no timetable for finalisation. He also stated that only the incumbent Etisalat and second national operator (SNO) Du would be permitted to offer the service, which allows telephone calls to be made from a PC to a landline.