UAE iPhone users calling for free

Viber app allows iPhone-iPhone free calls; Du official says it's legal and does not affect revenues

By
  • Staff
Published

These days, pulling the hulking smartphone from its charging perch makes me wince-will it freeze on me today. (AP)

iPhone users in the UAE are able to make voice calls to each other for free, using the Viber program which works through bunches of data or wireless Internet connections provided by companies in the UAE, according to Al Ittihad newspaper.

This new application, available through the Apple store, allows voice calls on both levels - local and international voice over internet protocol (VOIP) – for iPhone users through the automatic recognition of addresses of phones that use Viber.

Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer for du told Al Ittihad, “Some of the voice communication programs that are popular among users of the iPhone do not conflict with the legislation governing the telecommunications sector in the UAE .”

He said this legislation allows access to VOIP from iPhone to iPhone (machine to machine). It is voice communication from one iPhone to other types of cellphones and landlines that is prohibited.

Faraidooni denied any effect of such VOIP programs on the company's revenues.

He explained that finally such calls are carried out through the use of the data packages provided by the company to its users.

 

  • Twitter
  • submit to reddit

Comments

  • Simon 21 March 2012 01:58 3 0
    Viber is without doubt one of the best applications yet available and its such a shame we cannot use it
  • Tammy Courtney 29 February 2012 10:18 7 0
    Doesnt make sense, if its legal then why have du and etisalat blocked it?
  • Muneeb 22 February 2012 20:06 16 20
    Hello, I have just learned today that du has also blocked VIBER. Can anyone please confirm. It is not functional on du anymore.
  • Abo Ali 22 January 2012 15:08 3 9
    I have iPhone 3G and am using etisalat Wasel but Viber is not working. I tried du, it is working.
  • Amjad 3 September 2011 09:30 1 1
    Communication makes lives more easier for us
  • Me 18 July 2011 16:02 0 1
    I just spoke to du, and I was informed that du does not allow data calls, which explains why my Viber does not work.
  • Sam 8 June 2011 20:04 3 0
    I am highly irritated by the decision to block Viber. You have just ruined my relationship with my family abroad... shame on you!
  • Rich 3 May 2011 11:06 0 0
    Viber is blocked for me over Etisalat. Why must they block these services???
  • Moh 5 April 2011 14:58 1 0
    Etisalat and du block not only Viber but others as well!
  • Hassan 2 April 2011 08:00 0 0
    Hi, every one, just wanted to say that etisalat blocked viber.
  • Viber Media 18 January 2011 12:45 0 1
    Hi, this is a representative of Viber Media. We're glad to see your feedback and comments regarding Viber. I just wanted to add that Viber will soon be available also on other devices, and not only iPhone. the next one is Android (March). also Text Messages will be available on February.
  • Ashby 18 January 2011 09:56 0 0
    well skype is via wifi and many other VOIP services are in wi-fi, so why it's okay for iphone and not allowed for others ????
  • JP 18 January 2011 09:21 0 0
    You don't pay for nothing with Vyber, it's over wi-fi. The only time you pay for data usage is when there's no wi-fi connection.
  • sami 17 January 2011 13:36 0 1
    Use it only on wi-fi or else data package usage charge may be more than the call charges.
  • Bob 17 January 2011 13:16 0 0
    Free apart from the data useage which you actually do pay for.
  • M.salem 17 January 2011 12:03 0 0
    Or Etisalat will try to use it to double their revenue!!just wait and see.
  • khurram 17 January 2011 11:07 1 0
    Maybe things like these should remain hush-hush :D
  • Ziplomatic 17 January 2011 11:02 0 0
    This is one of the few reasons why one would prefer Du over Etisalat. Etisalat must make a change too, monopoly won't stay for long.
  • radio static 17 January 2011 10:38 1 0
    Great! ! Now Etisalat will try to figure out a way to block it...

Have your say

Comments submitted by third parties on this site are the sole responsibility of the individual/s whose content is submitted. DMI accepts no responsibility for the content of comment/s, including, without limitation, any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. Please note that your email address will NOT appear on the site.

By submitting your comments you agree to this website's Terms & Conditions

Type in the characters you see in the picture below.

Videos

See more videos

News In Images

See more galleries

Follow
Emirates 24|7

Follow
Emirates 24|7 Google+ Facebook Twitter RSS

Most Popular in News

Latest jobs available

More jobs on Emirates 24|7

Related articles

In Case You Missed It ...

Back to top