TRA in Dubai - Dubai Expat Blog

Emirates ID Card or Passport required to apply for new SIM card

August 2, 2012

According to a new regulation by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), applications for new mobile phone SIM card must accompany a copy of either Emirates ID Card or Passport.

Earlier, subscribers used to get new SIM card by submitting copies of labor card or driving license.

The rules were circulated to all mobile phone shops and other GSM handset outlets involved in the sale of Etisalat and du SIM cards.

“Please be aware that the new regulatory policy states new procedures and measures for obtaining and registering mobile SIM cards and services. In particular, it specifies the following ID documentation for obtaining and registering SIM cards and services-the Emirates ID or the passport,” TRA said.

“It is essential to emphasize the importance of implementing these new procedures which are in effect starting July 17 and to distribute a copy of the original notice to all points of sales of mobile SIM cards in the UAE.”

UAE mobile phone users ask to re-register SIMs in 18 months

July 6, 2012

On pretext of curbing illegal phones, the mobile phone users in the UAE are asked to re-register their SIMs in 18 months or risk having their telephone services cut off.

Reported by the Arabian Business, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said in a statement that mobile phone subscribers are expected to fully update their data and ensure that the sim cards they’re using are registered under their names.

All customers will receive notification of the programme either through text message or phone call.

According to TRA, Re-registration 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.

Etisalat has 105 registration points across the UAE while du has 46.

Apparently this is an attempt by the government to curb the use of fake / replica cellphones, freely sold across UAE. Rather than stopping the sales, the authorities are punishing the subscribers.

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Etisalat to block fake mobiles from January 2012

December 20, 2011

The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA), jointly with Etisalat, recently launched the campaign to raise awareness and discourage the use of mobile phones that use a fake (or cloned) International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. An (IMEI) number is a unique 15-digit code on every mobile phone.

As Emirates 24X7 reports, Etisalat will begin stopping functionality of fake illegal handsets from January 1, 2012.

Etisalat has notified customers via SMS message alerting them about their use of fake mobile devices with a fake IMEI number. In order to avoid disconnection of service from January 1, onward, affected customers can replace their fake mobile devices with approved, high quality ones available from Etisalat.

It is not yet clear how Etisalat will determine if a customer is using a fake mobile phone.

Will Skype ban in UAE effect Facebook Internet calling?

July 24, 2011

There is a commotion building in UAE over the new Skype-powered internet calling services offered by Facebook.

Standalone Skype software has been banned for years in the UAE, but questions remain whether the same ban applies to internet calling offered within the Facebook platform.

Earlier this month, Facebook unveiled the tie-up with Skype to bolster free services offered to its 750 million users around the globe, sparking debate once again in the UAE where voice over internet protocol services (VoIP) are illegal.

Gulf News contacted the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) for clarification and it reiterated its earlier position that VoiP services are regulated and can only be offered by licensed operators.

The TRA did not respond directly to the Facebook question.

Currently, only du and eisalat are licensed to offer such services in the UAE and operate under the country’s telecom law federal law 3 of 2003.

UAE to restrict BlackBerry services?

April 14, 2011

After an earlier unsuccessful attempt to curb down BlackBerry usage in UAE, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has now asked Etisalat and du, to restrict BlackBerry Enterprise Services (BES) to “qualifying organisations” and private individuals.

Qualifying organisations must have a valid UAE trade licence, and a minimum of 20 or more Enterprise accounts under the company ownership,

However, the move could lead to added costs for local firms wanting to use the more secure service.

Etisalat has already begun communicating with its corporate customers about the change.

From: Arabian Business

TRA extends registration period for dotEmarat

January 18, 2011

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has extended the registration in the (dotEmarat) Sunrise period for an additional six months to give trademark owners opportunity to take advantage of the unique offer.

TRA is encouraging trademark owners to apply during the Sunrise period to benefit from a wide range of benefits including the ease of registration process and the competitive cost. Furthermore, the current stage witnesses less competition to obtain a (dotEmarat) domain name.

Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General, said: “We are committed to support trademark owners while applying to acquire an Arabic domain name, therefore we decided to extend the Sunrise period. (dotEmarat) represents various commercial advantages that can enhance and strengthen the communication between businesses and their clients.”

He added that “ownership of (dotEmarat) domains will secure intellectual property rights related to the trademark and opens vast opportunities for more businesses to take advantage of the Arabic names for their brands.”

From: Emirates 24|7

Tourists in Dubai to get a free mobile SIM

VoIP International calls to become a reality in Dubai

July 23, 2011January 31, 2010

Currently Internet Telephony is not publicly accessible and those who use it have to go through a labyrinth of technical mumbo-jumbo with a constant fear of legal prosecution.

However, there is some light at the end of tunnel, as Etisalat and Du will soon offer the service that allows customers to make international calls over the internet.

Both companies are awaiting final approval and instructions from the country’s telecommunications regulator, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

YouTube to be banned in Dubai?

March 10, 2009

Believe it or not, YouTube is going to be banned in Dubai, and UAE. The Commander in Chief of Dubai Police, Lt Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, is of opinion that YouTube ‘incites hatred’ and, therefore, should be banned from computers.

Dubai Police Chief has launched a campaign during which he called upon Etisalat to ban YouTube, the site ranked top 10 in most popular sites in the UAE.

Tamim said that the website contained videos that ‘sparked dissension’, especially on religious belief. “Publishing pornographic material and defamatory ideas is not freedom”.

Khaleej Times quote Mohammed Okour, spokesman for Etisalat, said that the company had received no request from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which determines whether or not a website should be banned in the UAE.

In 2006 YouTube removed videos from right-wing activists such as Michelle Malkin, who posted several videos defaming Islam. A film by Dutch politician Geert Wilders, which criticises Islam, is banned in the UAE through conventional websites. However, it still available on YouTube.

On Sunday, Bangladesh became the latest country to impose a block on YouTube after a 40-minute discussion between the Prime Minister and senior generals was posted online. Earlier, in February 2008, the Pakistani government blocked the video-sharing site, because it republished cartoons blasphemous to Islam. Last April, Indonesian officials temporarily blocked YouTube for carrying the film, but restored service a week later.