Business | Telecoms

Internet access restrictions for Blackberry users

The list of banned websites include those for gambling, pornography, illegal drugs, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), and those that offer training or information on terrorist-related activities.

  • Staff Report
  • Published: 09:59 December 27, 2009

  • Image Credit: Supplied
  • An official at TRA denied that the new restrictions would affect the number of Blackberry buyers or users, reported the daily.

Abu Dhabi: etisalat and du have jointly agreed to ban a number of websites for all Blackberry users, reported the local Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm. The rule will come into effect shortly, it is learnt.

Blackberry users have had access to a number of websites which are otherwise not available to other Internet users such as those accessing the internet via a landline.

In line with the guidelines of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), the list of banned websites include those for gambling, pornography, illegal drugs, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), and those that offer training or information on terrorist-related activities.

An official at TRA denied that the new restrictions would affect the number of Blackberry buyers or users, reported the daily. He further said that one of the reasons why this rule is coming into effect is because Blackberry is being used by wide range of users including young adults and children. It is also to align the accessibility of all internet users.
 

Comments (1)

  1. Added 15:41 December 27, 2009

    Look like that it was available with Blackberry but the reality is NO. When I tried Youtube (not illegal activity) and VOIP, it was not working. So, I think, in general it will not effect the business. Most of the Blackberry customers/users are not using it to visit unethical site.

    Moi Al Deen, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Douglas Okasaki

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