Lift ban on WhatsApp calls: UAE businessman

A prominent Emirati businessman has called on UAE authorities to lift the ban on voice and video calls on WhatsApp.
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founding chairman of Al Habtoor Group, posted a video on social media on Sunday, highlighting his plea to allow UAE residents to have access to voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) functions through the messaging app.

Al Habtoor Group is a major conglomerate in the UAE which first started out as a small engineering company back in the 1970s. It now has interests in the hospitality, automotive, real estate, education and publishing sectors.
WhatsApp blocked again
In a message posted on Twitter, the entrepreneur said it’s about time the country’s telecom carriers lift the “ban” imposed on VoIP functions of platforms such as WhatsApp.

He pointed out that while people around the world can freely enjoy video and voice calls, residents in the UAE are restricted to using the app mainly for text-based chats.
“All the telecom companies are locking it. They are blocking it and not allowing it,” the businessman said in the video.
“We aim to be number one in everything… Why are we [behind] as far as communications is concerned,” he added.
“In a country like UAE, where we aim to always be pioneers in all we do, WhatsApp call should not be taken when it is accessible everywhere else in the world,” he also said on Twitter.
“I urge mobile carriers in the UAE to lift the ban, a service free to use in the top nations of the world.”
Can you access VPN in UAE?
While voice and video calls have been enjoyed by WhatsApp users around the world over the last few years, UAE residents are able to use the app mostly for text messaging and video or image sharing.
Voice and video calls over the internet are available in UAE only through VoIP-based apps Botim and C’Me offered by Etisalat and du.

Source: Gulf News

 

The Liberum

Vox Populi, Vox Dei
See full bio >
The Liberum runs on your donation. Fight with us for a free society.
Donation Form (#6)

More articles you might like

Control your Life

Control your life before you get burned, and it is too late. I have read […]

Know your true friends

Knowing your friends will help you connect better and reinforce your friendships. Friends prevent isolation and […]

Small Teams Lead to more Success

Small organisations or teams work best because they have communication advantages. They easily out-perform larger […]
by Emile Fakhoury on 05/08/2024

The Challenges of Learning Today

Learning today involves online as well as face-to-face learning. It combines various techniques from the […]

Thinking differently; the way, the skills & habits of innovation

We often say listening is more powerful than speaking. That’s true, but speaking is also […]

Dutch Hotelier Alexander Musch receives General Manager of the Year Award in the UAE

Managing a hotel is an art. A modern-day hotel general manager (GM) comes with a […]