Hi Mac users,
FaceTime. A popular protocol that is being established throughout Apple devices. Apple has a huge interest in FaceTime. This service blocked in the UAE has been left to:
1. Service providers.
2. Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
3. Apple.
In different regions, network executives amongst others have given responses to claim it's the regulatory authorities, Apple has taken down FaceTime information, there has been a carrier update..
However in the UAE it still remains blocked. So we contacted TRA extensively and we obtained a response for all of users for this fantastic service. This is the response we received:
" Thank you for contacting the TRA
Services for Internet calls provided by third parties fall within the scope of VoIP Policy 2.0. As voice calls provided by Face Time are considered to be a Regulated Activity, such services have to be provided by a Licensee or by a third party in collaboration with a licensee. In case such services does not comply with the TRA Regulatory framework and the telecom law, the Licensees have the right to block such services as seen appropriate. For more information, kindly refer to the VoIP Policy ver.2.0 and Frequently Asked Questions which are available through the TRA website: www.tra.gov.ae. "
We then followed up, with two additional questions:
1. Reading up the information presented, it mentions a license needs to be present. Whereas i contacted Etisalat from a license perspective, they mentioned FaceTime is still blocked over 3G. Why is this?
2. Why does Skype, Google Voice and more work then over standard proxies?
3. Why is not banned in the GCC apart from UAE and Saudi Arabia?
TRA replied:
We have sent a follow up response to align the fact that Saudi and the UAE is not working and FaceTime should work as:
A. It is blocked in Saudi and the UAE. Not just the UAE alone.
B. Skype is working.
You keep mentioning overall how the regulatory framework needs a license and it's blocked.
However you never mentioned why. Why is it blocked? FaceTime is a valid feature on the iPhone and i am making an official request
to have it unblocked by you. We are an Apple service in Dubai that our foundation directly helped to build Apple's success.
We are offering consumers great service like the Apple stores and more..
FaceTime is a product sold all over the world. Yet the UAE blocks it. There is no reason to. It is a feature that amasses with the product and assists
to sell it significantly.
Furthermore: http://www.tra.gov.ae/news_The_TRA_Revised_VoIP_Regulatory_Policy%2C_an_opportunity_for_the_Licensees_to_provide_innovative_VoIP_services-152-1.php
If the above is the case then why doesn't the telecommunications provider unblock this feature.
Apple has huge brand presence now and the products that sell outweigh many other products. The one VOIP Service that should be working; is blocked.
1. Please unblock FaceTime from your regulations. It is not apparent from your end.
2. Please provide the contact number of the team responsible for FaceTime in Etisalat/ Du if they can unblock you can also from your end.
We are now awaiting a response. We have also escalated this so they do not take too much time to respond as they first did.
We shall update this accordingly. Thank you.
www.consultmac.net
FaceTime. A popular protocol that is being established throughout Apple devices. Apple has a huge interest in FaceTime. This service blocked in the UAE has been left to:
1. Service providers.
2. Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
3. Apple.
In different regions, network executives amongst others have given responses to claim it's the regulatory authorities, Apple has taken down FaceTime information, there has been a carrier update..
However in the UAE it still remains blocked. So we contacted TRA extensively and we obtained a response for all of users for this fantastic service. This is the response we received:
" Thank you for contacting the TRA
Services for Internet calls provided by third parties fall within the scope of VoIP Policy 2.0. As voice calls provided by Face Time are considered to be a Regulated Activity, such services have to be provided by a Licensee or by a third party in collaboration with a licensee. In case such services does not comply with the TRA Regulatory framework and the telecom law, the Licensees have the right to block such services as seen appropriate. For more information, kindly refer to the VoIP Policy ver.2.0 and Frequently Asked Questions which are available through the TRA website: www.tra.gov.ae. "
We then followed up, with two additional questions:
1. Reading up the information presented, it mentions a license needs to be present. Whereas i contacted Etisalat from a license perspective, they mentioned FaceTime is still blocked over 3G. Why is this?
2. Why does Skype, Google Voice and more work then over standard proxies?
3. Why is not banned in the GCC apart from UAE and Saudi Arabia?
TRA replied:
We have sent a follow up response to align the fact that Saudi and the UAE is not working and FaceTime should work as:
A. It is blocked in Saudi and the UAE. Not just the UAE alone.
B. Skype is working.
You keep mentioning overall how the regulatory framework needs a license and it's blocked.
However you never mentioned why. Why is it blocked? FaceTime is a valid feature on the iPhone and i am making an official request
to have it unblocked by you. We are an Apple service in Dubai that our foundation directly helped to build Apple's success.
We are offering consumers great service like the Apple stores and more..
FaceTime is a product sold all over the world. Yet the UAE blocks it. There is no reason to. It is a feature that amasses with the product and assists
to sell it significantly.
Furthermore: http://www.tra.gov.ae/news_The_TRA_Revised_VoIP_Regulatory_Policy%2C_an_opportunity_for_the_Licensees_to_provide_innovative_VoIP_services-152-1.php
If the above is the case then why doesn't the telecommunications provider unblock this feature.
Apple has huge brand presence now and the products that sell outweigh many other products. The one VOIP Service that should be working; is blocked.
1. Please unblock FaceTime from your regulations. It is not apparent from your end.
2. Please provide the contact number of the team responsible for FaceTime in Etisalat/ Du if they can unblock you can also from your end.
We are now awaiting a response. We have also escalated this so they do not take too much time to respond as they first did.
We shall update this accordingly. Thank you.
www.consultmac.net
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