VoIP policy likely to further open up sector

A new era in telecom and information technology could be ushered in today with the UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) set to announce a new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) policy.

While officials have been mum on the details, analysts and industry watchers expect a positive policy that would result in lower call charges for consumers and a further opening up of the telecom market.

VoIP offers technology that can be used along with applications such as Skype to make free calls over the internet. Such applications are at present not officially accessible in the UAE.

Skype's chief executive, who was at the Abu Dhabi Media Summit last week, had urged the opening up of VoIP in the country.