Microsoft says it is ‘hopeful’ of deal that could call time on UAE Skype ban

Microsoft is hopeful the Emirates’ ban on Skype will be lifted, after talks with UAE authorities about Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

As reported in April, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has been in talks with Microsoft, which owns Skype, and Apple, the owner of FaceTime, over the ban – introduced in June last year .

Other calling technology offered by the likes of WhatsApp, Facebook, Viber and Snapchat have also been restricted.

The TRA highlighted the availability of alternative paid-for video-calling services through Etisalat and du, and said takeup of these is increasing.

This year, Microsoft said it was “working closely” with the authorities over local requirements “in an effort to get Skype unblocked”.

The company said this week it was still hopeful of a deal.

“We are passionate about the benefits that Skype offers to our users around the world by facilitating communication and enabling collaboration,” Microsoft said in a statement sent to The National.

Other countries, including Morocco, Saudi Arabia and China, have also blocked VoIP services, although in some cases bans have been lifted.

Local telecoms operators instead sought to recoup lost revenue by selling higher-quality internet services, particularly to businesses.

Analysts suggest restrictions are motivated by security concerns centred on the issue of encrypted data not being accessible to the authorities, and commercial considerations about protecting domestic providers of paid-for services.

Prof Keith Martin, an expert in information security from Royal Holloway University of London, said it was unlikely the ban was motivated solely by commercial factors.

Instead, he suggested providers may agree to give authorities access to data when required.

“It’s more likely they have come to an arrangement with local providers that they cannot come to with external providers,” he said.