Possible unblocking of WhatApp calls cheered

“There might be a lift of that for [WhatsApp] voice calls … and this is going to happen soon, this is what we know and understand from the telecommunication authority (TRA) here in the UAE,” he said.

For its part, the TRA made no comment on the issue, with the country’s two main telecommunication providers Etisalat and du also having no comment when contacted.

Business boost

WhatsApp voice

Bilal Khalil, vice

Lamar Holidays.

“It will make it both easier as well as cheaper to communicate by using the WhatsApp voice calling feature. I believe that we are at a disadvantage by having this tool blocked to us as it’s available everywhere else,” he added.

Khalil also said that WhatsApp has now become an essential business tool making it all the more important to have access to all of its features.

“Business is also changing a lot these days, and I can say now that a big portion of the deals that I get done are through WhatsApp. Nowadays, the previous norm of doing business by emails or other formal ways is getting changed by new tools like WhatsApp.

“WhatsApp has become very important because it’s on your smartphone, and nearly everyone has a smartphone these calls,” said president at days, and so for a business person it is such a convenient and easy tool to have at any time they need to conduct anything that is business related,” he added.

Ahmad Ataya, partner and business development manager at Aquatic Architects Design Studio, the country’s first architectural service provider dedicated to water and floating developments, highlighted the saving costs of WhatApp calling.

“As a UAE-based entrepreneur, I know that the government encourages innovative approaches to doing business. When it comes to Voice over Internet Protocol applications and their potential, I believe there is a vast benefit to be reaped.

“Being free, quick, and easily accessible anywhere in the world will open many doors, and possibly even introduce new business models,” he added.