Business | Telecoms
Corporate users open to BlackBerry monitoring
Service continuity welcomed as there is no need to seek alternative solutions
- By Yazad Darasha, Business News Editor
- Published: 00:00 October 9, 2010
Dubai: Business users of the BlackBerry have welcomed the continuity of services announced by the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and said they have no problems with the authorities having access to their information.
Issues related to encrypted BlackBerry services such as messaging had prompted the TRA to give the Canada-based handset manufacturer Research In Motion (RIM) up to Monday to provide the regulator with access to data.
Normal operations
TRA said yesterday that "BlackBerry services are now compliant with the UAE's telecommunications regulatory framework" and that "all BlackBerry services in the UAE will continue to operate as normal and no suspension of service will occur on October 11".
Pradeep Unni, a senior manager with Richcomm Global Services, told Gulf News: "Being in financial markets and a leading broker of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, instant dissemination of information and mail updates are a necessity and BlackBerry has been helpful in that way for us and for our wide client base."
"The continuity is happy news as we won't have to now look for an alternative communication method. We were confident that the authorities in the UAE would arrive at an amicable solution to this problem, one that does not adversely affect a business set-up in the UAE," he said.
Wise to comply
Jitendra Gianchandani, chairman of business consultancy JCA International, said: "It's a big relief. BlackBerry has become like a virtual office. I think RIM has done the wise thing by complying with the UAE's law. We have no problem sharing information."
Rizwan Sajan, chairman of Danube Building Materials, said: "This positive decision benefits not only BlackBerry users but also businesses, as it reflects the UAE Government's ongoing efforts to support and facilitate smooth businesses operations in the country. At Danube, between 200 to 300 employees use the BlackBerry and the Messenger service for corporate-based communications across the GCC region. It has considerably improved our internal communications while reducing costs."
Kamal Vachani, director of supermarkets operator Al Maya Group and regional director of India's Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council, told Gulf News: "We are delighted to hear this. We have become so used to BlackBerry services that it has become a part of our lives."
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