Introduction to VoIP Services in the UAE

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) set the rules in regard to the use of VoIP services within the UAE. The TRA state that only the licensees (Etisalat and Du) can provide VoIP services to the users within the UAE but when you look for VoIP services on each of the provider’s web-sites there is a noticeable absence of any information relating to this technology. Du refers the reader back to the TRA website and the regulations therein, whereas the Etisalat website has very little, bordering on nothing at all about VoIP services?

There are a few pertinent VoIP points both within the VoIP policy[1] produced in December 2006 on the TRA web-site and in a policy and regulations ‘questions and answers’ section as follows:-

VoIP Policy Extract

Any entity other than the Licensees who deploy and/or operate any form of Telecommunication Network(s) and/or system(s) for the purpose of providing VoIP Services for Private Telecommunication Network(s), may do so under the following conditions:

• Any form of Telecommunication Networks, systems and services involved shall not be extended beyond the Private Telecommunication Network(s).
• Any form of Telecommunication Networks and systems shall not be connected by any means to any other Telecommunication Network(s) outside the Private Telecommunication Network(s).
• Any form of Telecommunication Networks and systems connecting to any other Telecommunication Network(s) outside the Private Telecommunications Network(s) shall use the Licensee’s Telecommunication Network(s) only.

Q & A Extract

Q1– Which types of VoIP communications are considered illegal in the UAE?

A1 - The following VoIP communications are considered illegal:

• Any call initiated from a PC and terminated at a Landline (in the UAE or everywhere) and/or Mobile such as MSN Credit, Skype-Out, etc.
• The use of IP Handsets through Internet Access to make national and international calls such as Net2Phone, etc.
• The use of websites that act as a trigger in initiating calls such as jajah, etc.
• The use of VoIP Gateways and use of VoIP Services in connecting the Office in the UAE to an office outside the UAE boundaries.

Q2 - A company has a private network and intends to use VoIP for internal communications of its network, is this allowed?

A2 - Yes, any entity in the UAE can implement a VoIP infrastructure for its internal communications. For any external communications entities shall use their Licensee’s services (Etisalat and/or Du).
External Communications means any outgoing International calls or any destination that is not on your own internal network.

Q3 - Can I use the VoIP Service to make International Calls?
 
A3 - No. As per the current TRA VoIP Policy, making international calls is considered illegal.

Q4 - How can I use a VoIP Service in the UAE?

A4 – Users in the UAE may approach the Licensees (Etisalat and/or Du) to enquire about available VoIP service.

In summary, EtiSalat and Du as the licensed operators are able to provide VoIP services but to my knowledge only within the boundaries of the regulation presented by the TRA. At this point in time, the services they can offer are arguably therefore limited to those that can also be offered by others professional services organisations. These organisations will offer localised VoIP solutions underpinned by Etisalat and Du infrastructure services as well as providing ongoing management, support, and maintenance of the VoIP equipment. A contentious issue maybe the lack of pressure being placed on the TRA to complete the VoIP licensing framework by the local UAE service providers as they continue to reap the financial benefits of the lucrative traditional voice model.

Today a typical VoIP Scenario conforming to UAE TRA regulation might look like this:-

A bank has invested in a Cisco VoIP solution across 15 branches in the UAE providing the following benefits :-

• Removal of legacy equipment (nearing end of life and ongoing support premium charges)
• Full extension mobility
• Potential removal of voice tie lines between buildings
• Voicemail integration (Unity)
• Simplified network operational support and maintenance
• Foundation towards unified communications strategy
• Capability to leverage future international VoIP cost reductions when permitted under UAE regulations

Under existing UAE regulations IP phones will be located on each desk in each building and all internal calls within the UAE will be carried IP phone to IP phone across the Banks internal converged data and voice infrastructure. This could be an MPLS network from Etisalat or DU with QoS enabled to protect the voice.

Calls originated from an IP Phone to/from any external destination outside of the bank either fixed or mobile will gateway into traditional ISDN/PSTN services provided by Etisalat and/or Du.

There may be little to no benefit of localised breakout within the UAE as there is negligible difference in call rates between and within Emirates.

Where is VoIP Heading in the UAE?

All of the focus is on the TRA. There may be some light however[2]. The director general of the TRA confirmed in September 2008 that they are actively developing a framework for VoIP providers[3].  Etisalat and Du have both announced that they are also ready to offer such services following release of the TRA framework. Once introduced, this will deliver international IP calls at a much lower tariff. No announcements have been made since.

[1] http://www.tra.gov.ae/pdf/policies_regulations/TRA%20VoIP%20Policy%20v1.0.pdf

[2] http://www.itp.net/news/530556-uae-telcos-ready-for-voip

[3] http://www.itp.net/news/530393-skype-access-could-be-coming-to-uae-soon?ln=en

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