Du will alert customers to re-register their SIM cards

The move is part of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority's (TRA) "My Number, My Identity" campaign which requires every mobile phone user to re-confirm their details.

Registration is expected to begin on July 17 and run for 18 months after which unregistered handsets could be blocked.

"This regulatory step is highly commendable, and we fully support the TRA for its efforts to protect customer interest and enhance customer experience," said Farid Faraidooni, the chief commercial officer for du.

"We are working proactively with agencies to automate the process, further simplifying the registration process.

"We have taken every measure to make the registration process for Sim cards as simple as possible for our customers, so that they can enjoy a smooth, hassle-free registration no matter where they are in the UAE.

Du has more than 250 outlets across the country where customers will be able to visit once they have been notified.

A valid passport, residency visa and Emirates or GCC identity card are required for the registration process.

The TRA is carrying out the re-registration to link Sim owners with users to prevent misuse of the cards.

Etisalat customers are advised to visit one of their carrier's outlets once registration opens.

UAE Blackberry services fully restored

On June 30 we experienced a service issue which may have affected some of our customers in certain parts of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India,” said Sandeep Saihgal, managing director of Research In Motion (Rim) Middle East.

“This issue is now fully resolved and all services are operating as normal. We apologise to any customers in these regions who may have been inconvenienced.”

The service difficulties struck both the Etisalat and du networks, though there were no reports of voice calls being affected.

Du said in a statement on Saturday night that the disruption was caused by “technical challenges” reported by RIM. The statement continued: “We would like to inform our BlackBerry users that they might have experienced degradation in their BlackBerry services due to technical challenges as reported by RIM.

“Wireless service providers and device resellers may experience delays in using BlackBerry administration websites, creating subscriber accounts, or provisioning services for subscribers.”

Du said its technical team was working with RIM to resolve the matter as soon as possible, and apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused.

Etisalat announced that its BlackBerry services had returned to normal.

The operator said in a statement: “As stated earlier by Rim, the delay was caused due to Rim’s service issues, but the BlackBerry service has now been restored.

“Etisalat apologises to its BlackBerry customers for the inconvenience caused due to disruption.”

BlackBerry user Fatma Al Bannai, an Emirati from Dubai who works in IT quality control, said: “I’ve been talking to some of my friends who have du and some who have Etisalat, and they were both down for quite a few hours yesterday. They weren’t receiving any messages on BBM and their emails were not coming in, basically the service wasn’t functioning.

“I called Etisalat and there was an automatic message saying they had been experiencing some problems. I believe it was a nationwide issue that lasted until the early hours of the morning. There was no prior warning.”

She said she was disappointed that RIM had not issued a statement earlier when the problems first emerged.

“At first I didn’t know if it was just my phone or if it was everyone else, so if they’d issued a statement we would have known that the whole country didn’t have the service.”

The disruption is the latest in a series of problems to hit RIM.

The Canadian company's share price has plummeted in the face of fierce competition from Apple and the makers of Android smartphones, and it has just announced large-scale job cuts and a delay to the launch of its BlackBerry 10 platform.

Last October BlackBerry services in the UAE went down for several days because of a massive outage that affected millions of users around the world.Some users complained about the latest disruption on Twitter.

A Dubai resident who tweets under the handle @Psyched! said: “Rim jus keeps diggin its own hole.”

@ReadMore said: “Another disruption of BlackBerry services in UAE. Which number is that? Too many disruptions to count if you ask me.”

There was no mention of the problem on RIM’s official Twitter page.

Ms Al Bannai said she was becoming a bit fed up with BlackBerry because of the problems with the network, but would not switch to another make of smartphone because all her friends used the RIM messaging network.

Etisalat SIM cards registration drive set to begin

Etisalat announced on Tuesday that it has nearly completed the procedures to begin SIM card registration for its mobile phone users in line with the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority’s (TRA) ‘My Number, My Identity’ campaign.

As per the directive of the TRA, mobile phone subscribers in the UAE are required to update their profile in the operator database and ensure all SIM holders are the same as the registered owner of the SIM card. Customers will need to register their SIM cards by submitting an application form along with valid identification documents including the passport with valid residency, Emirates or GCC ID card. For business and government customers, the requirement is a valid establishment card.
Starting from July 17, Etisalat’s customers will be able to choose from over 100 points of sale across the UAE to process their SIM card registration. Registration of the SIM card is only required once, and all unregistered SIM cards will be cancelled once the registration period expires.
Commenting on the registration campaign, Saleh Abdulla Al Abdooli, Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat, said: “The ‘My Number, My Identity’ campaign aims primarily at providing the necessary protection to subscribers and enabling them to procure all services easily. Etisalat has fully harnessed its resources to complete this process successfully for its customers through its points of sale. This campaign is particularly important for subscribers because it prevents any unauthorised or criminal usage of SIM cards and helps in curbing legal or social violations besides reducing frauds that have been noticed during the last few years.”

Field tests by etisalat, du on VoIP sets

UAE telecom operators etisalat and du are conducting field trials on VoIP (voice over internet protocol) enabled phones, said cordless phone manufacturers.

Panasonic, Gigaset (part of Siemens Group) and Alcatel's phones are being tested by the operators to check bandwidth levels and VoIP applications, sources said.

The manufacturers have been working with operators for the past six months. However, the manufacturers were not able to give a launch date for the VoIP service by the operators.

Abby Thomas, Senior Manager, Sales and Marketing for Consumer Electronics Department, Panasonic Marketing Middle East, toldEmirates Business: "Panasonic will for the first time make its entry with VoIP-enabled phones in the region. We are getting ready for VoIP as we have also integrated calls on to our televisions along with a link-up with Skype. There are also HD-ready cameras that will pick up images on these Skype calls."

Panasonic has launched its VoIP-enabled phones in Saudi Arabia as the service was legalised in the country. Others such as Gigaset have also been field-testing their models with the operators.

Shahzad Ahmed, CEO at regional headquarters Middle East and Africa and India, at Gigaset Communications, said: "Field trials are happening currently as we are in discussions with both the operators. There are four VoIP models available in the market via retail channels. However, the VoIP service was not activated as it is not legal in the country."

Gigaset also sees a large part of its future growth coming from the region especially from triple-play technologies, combination of voice, internet and data.

"Operators are distributing packets of data which needs a fixed-line device to support this new technology. Therefore, there is a huge area of growth for Gigaset as consumers make the transition to these next-generation devices," said Hans-Burghardt Ziermann, Managing Director of Gigaset Communications.

Skype Lets You Make Free Phone Calls Online

Everywhere you turn phone companies offer 3 or 5-cent long distance phone calls, or even unlimited long distance for a flat fee monthly.

Now you can make reliable calls using the Internet for anywhere from 0 to 2.3-cents per minute.

Welcome to Skype, the Internet telephony company that has set the traditional telephone world on its ear.

Recently purchased by Ebay for 2.6 billion dollars, Skype stands ready to revolutionize worldwide voice communication simply because they enable you to carry on crystal clear voice communication with anyone else in the world with a either a phone or Internet connection.

What's the catch you ask?

Well, to make phone calls, you need a computer, a microphone, speakers, a modem, an Internet connection and the free Skype software you can download from www.skype.com

To make a free phone call, you need someone on the receiving end with a computer, Internet connection, and the Skype software installed.

To make a call from your computer to a land-based phone virtually anywhere in the world, you must pre-pay for calling minutes in blocks of 10 Euros (approximately $12 U.S.).

One block of calling minutes gets you about 500 minutes of calling time, or a little over 8 hours of talking time.

Skype uses a technology called IP telephony.

IP telephony first appeared commercially back in the lat 1990's with services like Dialpad.com, which initially offered phone calls from computers to land-based phones in exchange for watching online advertising.

This model soon failed, but the thought of making ultra-cheap phone calls through a computer did not.

And, as the recent mega sale of Skype reveals, a market now exists that can put Internet telephony to work on a grand scale, or at least large enough to make eBay pony up with a lot of cash and stock to give it a try.

Once you install the software, you log onto the service and can make phone calls to other Skype users through their computers at no charge.

You can set up a call list, much like an instant messaging "buddy list" so with a couple clicks of the mouse you can ring your friends up for a chat.

Or, if you pre-pay for calling minutes, you can enter in the country code and phone number of your pals, click a button, and their phone or cell phone will ring.

Skype also allows you to hold conference calls with up to 4 other people at the same time, making it easy to hold group meetings.

Skype includes a group chat feature which allows you to hold a group chat session with up to 48 other people at the same time... excellent for "webinars" or even planning that next family reunion.

Skype also allows you to transfer files to and from other users, perfect for sharing photos, music and short video clips with your pals.

Tip: Get a good headset microphone.

It makes using the service more enjoyable and also eliminates the echo created by your own speakers feeding back into your PC's microphone.

Is There Such A Thing As Free VoIP Service?

When VoIP was first introduced over the Internet, most of the programs available offered free VoIP services. Ah, the good old days. Unfortunately, those days are gone and nowadays these services are no longer free; but are still offered at a very minimal monthly fee.

However, even after youve decided to purchase these VoIP services, you will still be amazed with the benefits and advantages that VoIP offers. Your calls are unlimited and youre able to make long distance calls at no charge, but you have to pay the low monthly fee.

Dont worry though as there are programs that still provide free VoIP services, among them are AdCalls and Skype. These two programs enable you to make calls using free VoIP programming.

With AdCalls, you can make calls to anyone in the USA and Canada at anytime on their home, business and cell phone free of charge. You are also able to call anyone in the world on their PC provided that they also download the AdCalls free calling dialer that can be found on their website.

Skype allows you to make a PC-to-PC call to another Skype user using a headphone and a microphone. All you have to do is download the free Skype software found on their website. This free VoIP service is only available for a PC-to-PC call and the person you want to contact would have to download the software too. If you want to call someone on their phone (SkypeOut) and receive a call from them (SkypeIn), youd have to purchase their credits at a very cheap price.

Even as many people are choosing to utilize VoIP, it does have its disadvantages, one being the inability to call 911. The reason for this is that the call is made from your computer network instead of a landline phone. This makes it impossible for 911 to trace your call from the VoIP phone and to determine your address. When receiving your 911 calls, it is also impossible for the dispatcher to receive any kind of information on your location.

This is what has made the FCC come up with new rulings. Among the options given were to register with 911, calling 911 and giving them your vital information and location immediately, or having a landline phone or cell phone with you at all times in case of any emergencies. The latter could be the best solution in having and enjoying the benefits of both services.

VoIP is fast gaining popularity and big corporations like Verizon and AOL are all offering VoIP packages. Free VoIP is the most popular choice, though nowadays it is getting more and more difficult to find one. For users who are still not ready or who feel uncomfortable with switching to VoIP, they still have the option of using instant messaging services, for example Yahoo Messenger.

We cannot deny the fact that VoIP has many benefits and plus points that are not available with your typical landline or cell phones. Some of these advantages include the ability to have conversations with multiple users at one time, having the ease of standard features that normally come with your regular landline phones together with your VoIP packages, as well as the option of unlimited talk time (some even worldwide).

As VoIP progresses everyday and with more and more people welcoming the idea of being able to combine all their telecommunications needs like audio, video, data, e-mail, and web services into a single program, many new products will be developed to continuously equip VoIP users with the best tools to enjoy all of VoIPs benefits.

The UK Finally Embracing VoIP

VoIP in the UK has started to take off just as it has all over the world. It is an amazing break through technology and is changing the face of telephone communications. According to a study conducted by research firm Harris Interactive, during the last nine months, the percentage of British adults who have heard of VoIP or already use it has increased from just a little over one-third (37 percent) to nearly half (46 percent.) A similar shift in awareness and use in the United States has been shown from 36 to 51 percent. The firm surveyed 1,089 U.S. adults aged 18 and over and 1,117 British adults aged 18 and over.

VoIP stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol" and many times it is referred to as Internet Phone Service. It is a way for British consumers to make and receive telephone calls using a high-speed Internet connection. The main reason why VoIP is becoming popular in the UK is cost; as VoIP is significantly less expensive than typical local and long distance telephone service offered by the phone companies. Most UK VoIP providers charge about £6.99 per month. Some providers also have an annual rate of £79.99; not bad for those consumers who are looking to save a pretty penny.

Early efforts at employing VoIP in the UK involved having to use a computer in order to use the service, known as PC to PC calling. While this is still popular today, VoIP services can now be used with regular telephone equipment so less technical people can enjoy the cost savings of VoIP. It works just like traditional phone service, so all that is needed is a phone jack; a phone adapter (provided by the VoIP Company) an existing phone (with the exception of a rotary phone), high-speed Internet and a monthly or annual subscription to a VoIP service provider.

Once connected and installed, VoIP works just like any other phone: all consumers have to do is pick up the phone and wait for the dial tone dial a phone number wait for the person to answer and start a conversation. In most cases the person on the other end wont even know that you are using VoIP; the quality is that excellent.

Some of the tangible benefits of using VoIP include: unlimited UK local & national calls, a UK phone number with your choice of area dialing code, a free second phone line; as well as free features like voicemail, caller ID, distinctive ringing, three-way calling, call forwarding, do not disturb and many more.

Another advantage of using VoIP is that it is portable. For example, let's assume that you have to go on a business trip to China. Simply pack up your phone adapter, (power supply & cables) and your touch tone phone. When you arrive at your hotel in Beijing, set up your phone adaptor and phone just as you had installed it at home. You can then make and receive telephone calls as if you were sitting down in your living room back in the UK. Its that easy.

Cost savings, free features, portability VoIP is the emerging technology at the root of all these trends, and British consumers should expect to see a lot more news about VoIP in the UK in the coming months and years.