UAE residents get free roaming video, voice calls

Subscribers of C’Me, UAE telecom operator Etisalat’s interactive mobile app, will be able to receive unlimited free inbound C’Me to C’Me voice and video calls while roaming abroad, the operator has announced.

Etisalat’s C’Me app users can subscribe to Dh20 weekly or Dh50 monthly C’Me packs to enjoy the unlimited free incoming voice and video calls, it noted.

The operator explained that C’Me roaming calls are made possible through a connection over a WiFi or mobile data network.

Etisalat had, in May this year, announced the launch of its C'Me communication app, offering features such as high definition voice and video calling over WiFi and fully integrated social networks.

A special launch promotion allows C’Me users make 60 minutes of free video calls using their smartphones or tablets to any other C’Me app user over Etisalat’s mobile network or any UAE WiFi.

After that, Etisalat’s post-paid subscribers are charged 30fils per minute to make the HD video calls while pre-paid users pay 36fils per minute.

Read: Free Etisalat app offers local, global HD video calls from UAE

C’Me mobile app is available through Apple and Android app stores for smartphones as well as tablets.

The C’Me roaming offer can be availed of through subscription by sending SMS “CR week” (Dh20/week) to 1010 or SMS “CR month” (Dh50/month) to 1010. Or, users may dial *177#, ther operator noted.

Etisalat’s C’Me is seen as its answer to the numerous free or more affordable global VoIP calling and messaging platforms, such as Skype and WhatsApp.

However, as the UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has repeatedly clarified, VoIP is a regulated activity in the country, and only the two licensed UAE operators – Etisalat and Du – are allowed to offer it.

This is why services such as WhatsApp calling and Skype voice and video calls remain barred in the country even as the platforms’ other services – notably messaging – remains active in the UAE.

“VoIP are considered part of the UAE’s regulated activities,” the regulator clearly states.

“The TRA has granted licensed operators the eligibility to provide such services across their networks. Companies wishing to provide such services should coordinate with the UAE’s licensed service providers in this regard,” the TRA noted in a statement to Emirates 24|7 earlier this year.

Read: Free WhatsApp Voice Calls in UAE: TRA clarifies what's allowed

“Unlimited incoming C’Me to C’Me voice and video calls over WiFi is a great way to keep in touch with family, friends or work, without fears of huge bills while roaming. Our two months promotion for customers who subscribe to our weekly and monthly data combo packs, offers more value to our roaming customers. We hope for all our customers to take advantage of this treat,” said Khaled ElKhouly, Chief Marketing Officer at Etisalat.

In addition, Etisalat said that for customers subscribed to these C’Me weekly or monthly packs, roaming outgoing calls from C’Me app made to standard fixed or mobile numbers in the home country, within the country of travel or any other destination globally will be charged at the rate of Dh2.4 per minute.

Customers can also make use of C’Me’s video calling features while roaming for the same price, it added.

A two-month promotion starting now offers free C’Me Dh20 weekly or Dh50 monthly roaming pack to customers who subscribe to Etisalat’s 1GB weekly or 1GB monthly combo roaming packs, respectively.

Etisalat’s current 3G video calling rate is 60 fils per minute, so the app effectively halves the amount required to make HD video calls.

Customers can maximise the C’Me roaming benefits for voice or video calls made or received while connected on WiFi networks, Etisalat advised.

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