UAE to block BlackBerry services (WAM)
1 August 2010, Last Updated: 2:16 PMThe Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)c onfirmed today that Blackberry Messenger, Blackberry E-mail and Blackberry Web-browsing services in the UAE will be suspended as of October 11, 2010.
The suspension is a result of the failure of ongoing attempts, dating back to 2007, to bring Blackberry services in the UAE in line with UAE telecommunications regulations.
Both telecommunications operators - Etisalat and du - were informed of the decision earlier today. The notification was delivered with an instruction to ensure minimal consumer disruption in the provision of alternative services.
All Blackberry services fall within the UAE regulatory framework developed by the TRA since 2007, however because of Blackberry’s technical configuration, some Blackberry services operate beyond the enforcement these regulations.
Blackberry data is immediately exported off-shore, where it is managed by a foreign, commercial organization. Blackberry data services are currently the only data services operating in the UAE where this is the case.
Today’s decision is based on the fact that, in their current form, certain Blackberry services allow users to act without any legal accountability, causing judicial, social and national security concerns for the UAE.
Commenting on the announcement TRA Director General Mohamed Al Ghanim said: “With no solution available and in the public interest, in order to affect resolution of this issue, as of October 11, 2010, Blackberry Messenger, Blackberry Email and Blackberry Web-browsing services will be suspended until an acceptable solution can be developed and applied.”
“We informed both Etisalat and du that providing the option of alternative services to ensure the continuity of service from October 11 to its subscribers - both individuals and organisations - is the most important priority.” he added.
“The TRA notes that Blackberry appears to be compliant in similar regulatory environments of other countries, which makes non-compliance in the UAE both disappointing and of great concern,” said Al Ghanim.
du statement on suspension of BlackBerry Services
We have been notified on August 1st 2010 by an instruction from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the UAE that certain BlackBerry services will be suspended starting October 11th, 2010, says a statement of du.
BlackBerry Email, BlackBerry web browsing, social networking, and instant messaging services on BlackBerry devices that are supported as part of the BlackBerry service, will be suspended.
Customers will be able to continue using their BlackBerry devices for Voice, SMS, MMS and web browsing not using blackberry service as these services will remain unaffected. Other applications which do not use the BlackBerry services will also not be affected.
This is an important decision taken by the Telecommunications Regulatory authority and as a licensed telecom service provider we shall fully comply by this instruction.
Since a number of du customers are BlackBerry subscribers, du will ensure that it provides all its affected customers with an alternative solution that meets their needs with minimal disruption to their services.
In the coming days du will be making an announcement on the full plan and shall inform all customers on the implementation of this alternative plan.
As a reasonable service provider, we have an obligation to always act within the law and the regulations of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the UAE, while at the same time, providing our customers with the best possible service.
Etisalat statement on suspension of BlackBerry Services
Etisalat was informed today by the UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) to suspend BlackBerry services providing email, web browsing, instant messaging and social networking from October 11, 2010 until an acceptable solution can be developed and applied which brings the BlackBerry services in line with the UAE’s telecommunications regulations.
This is an important decision made by the Regulatory Authority and we fully understand the legal and social considerations behind the decision.
Etisalat has an obligation to act within the law and the regulations of the TRA, while at the same time, providing our customers with the best service. Etisalat has a significant share of customers in the UAE for its mobility services, including BlackBerry customers and hence it is very important for us to ensure our customers enjoy continuity of services.
Etisalat’s focus at the current time is to make sure its valued customers experience continuity of mobility services. In line with its commitment towards its customers, Etisalat will soon be announcing a range of alternative mobility products and services for its existing blackberry customers.
Do you think certain Blackberry services allow users to act without any legal accountability?
Readers’ Comments
I think the decision should rest with the ultimate user if they feel secured enough to use the service or not. Many of us do not have critical information to be worried about. - Mohammed Saad
Definitely not a well thought decision and surely not a good move. Every situation can be solved with good amount of negotiations by UAE authorities and taking such a extreme measure is not going to benefit any party in this case, especially UAE businesses. - Amy, Abu Dhabi
I agree to what steps the TRA is undertaking, since there are many blackberry users Du and Etisalat can work on suspending such sites or web pages which they feel would ensure safety of information. Keeping in mind the essential services are still available. - Arun Kumar
I don’t agree with people who says that there info is no safe if u feel unsecured don’t buy blackberry service because there are many people who don’t care about there info has I really love to use blackberry messenger service it makes me connected to my friends 24/7 and about privacy all the bad mms which are flooding on the websites are not been uploaded or broadcasted by blackberry phones. - Usman, Dubai
I don’t agree… It is better to keep the service of the Blackberry and increase the fuel again. Blackberry company is operation in more than 100 countries and they never had any issue. I brought my Blackberry machine from Etisalat and it has Etisalat Logo, the machine cost me 2400 Dirham, what should I do with it now? If Etisalat want to cancel the service, I want Etisalat to return me back the money and take the machine. Any comment??? - Rashid
Well this is an excellent decision and remarkable step towards the security of the nation and users of blackberry .I also think that there should be some resolution for the customers of blackberry after all they trusted the brand and application ..on the whole i would like to conclude by saying Great job! done by TRA. - Kevin, Dubai
Recently my Gmail account hacked and still using some one and sending all the nonsense attachments and chatting message to all my friends and relatives in my name. That created lot of problem in my family life. So please don’t use Gmail account any more. Once the problem gets you won’t get any support from any body. The hacker changed my password and security questions. So everything out of my control now. - Ram Menon, Abu Dhabi
Good Move, I hope service provider will definitely bring something new to beat this. -Romi Krishna, Dubai
Back to pen and paper. The truth is that this place developed faster than its own capacity. – Cristian, Dubai
I am sure Etisalat and Du would find some alternative for this, because Blackberry is being used by so many people here, huge loss for the telecom market, don’t you think? I am sure they will come up with something to make sure before October, the data security issue would be solved and we could all go back to being happy again. I will miss Blackberry too much, otherwise. Almost everything and everybody is on it, and it’s our major communication link. - Thanzeem K. Rawther, Dubai
I am so happy with this. We will finally have some peace at home. People will talk again. –Khawla, Dubai
How can UAE just decide to cut off such a huge service? Blackberry Internet Service is as good as any kind of internet service within the UAE. Every internet connection has security issues. Even the most basic internet connection can be hidden with massive numbers of proxies which can create greater security issues than blackberry. This is pure stupidity.- Murtaza, Dubai
Rashid’s and Saood’s comments do not comply. Only reason TRA is banning these services is because they themselves can not track the user’s messages. They even tried to last year with an “update”. It’s a shame actually. - Karan, Dubai
Appreciate the decision; TRA should look into possible alternative solutions for the public. - Abdul Naizam
I am totally agreed with suspending these services since the data is not secure. Really it was effected a lot of family by broadcasting the rumours. - Nadee, Sharjah
I think not good move. - Abbas Jeoffery, Dubai
This is indeed a very Ridiculous move. With so many business people using BB as there main means of communication. The world is using BlackBerry and to suspend its services in UAE, shows the real thinking if the UAE.- Simran, Dubai
Actually this good news this things should be done once the telecom companies released the blackberry. This will protect many families many people will start communicating face to face. - Salim Saif El Hamli, Al Ain
Yes, it is the matter of safety should be suspended. – Shams, Dubai
I feel people have the right to choose for themselves and if they choose to accept the privacy issues then the government should respect the consumers’ wishes as well and not just dive in and make unnecessary rules whenever they feel like. - Huzaifa, sharjah
Finally the right decision. I was personally waiting for this. - Mubarak, Sharjah
I agree with suspending this service, our info is not secure and our data is unprotected while it is being sent. This is a right decision, and I hope that other telecom regulatory authorities will follow the same in order to protect the privacy of individuals. - Rashid Saeed, Dubai
Well if one feels that the info is not safe then they should simply not subscribe to it.- Garry, Canada
This is an excellent move that should have been taken long back. The UAE should not tolerate such privacy infringements to it’s citizens. Thumbs up for TRA. - Saood Nasser, Abu Dhabi
Source: Gulfnews / Khaleejtimes
