Users in limbo: The eye of the storm

More than 500,000 users and thousands of tourists will be affected when the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority's (TRA) decision to suspend the popular BlackBerry (BB) Messenger, e-mail and web browsing services comes into effect from October 11. We give you a lowdown on how the BlackBerry works, how it's different from regular phones and why it is considered a security threat to the UAE

How a Blackberry works

A BlackBerry works as a mobile phone, an SMS device, an instant messenger, web browsing tool, an organiser/ calendar, a camera, video recorder and player, music player and Bluetooth

Blackbery Messaging (or BBM) allows a user to send the same message to several people at once – as long as you know their PIN codes.

A BBM user can quickly send instant messages to friends and colleagues in several different ocations or carry on several conversations simultaneously or chat with a group.

• Send and receive an unlimited number of messages worldwide for free with no per-message charge.
• Know whether a friend is online, available or busy.
• Lets your contacts know your own availability for instant messaging.
• Continue using other programs and send and receive e-mails while BBM is running.
• Users can invite someone to join their buddy list and start communicating without setting up a separate IM account.
• Get messages without filling up your inbox; carry on several conversations at the same time; chat with a group, see contacts’ availability, send files and track message status.
• Allows you to manage log-in and contacts as you would if you were using an IM (instant messaging) program from your PC.
• Users can be notified by a specific ringtone or vibration setting each time a message arrives from a particular person.
   

How different it is from regular mobile phones

Compared to other mobile phones, whose only data function is SMS, BlackBerry uses data links extensively.

Its most popular feature is the full-QWERTY keyboard and a small trackball – a mouse for a mobile device.

BBM is a feature of BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1, which works differently from other IM programs.

A BBM user can only send an instant message to someone whose PIN code (eight-digit letter-and-number code assigned to a particular BlackBerry device) is known to him/her.

Unlike a regular instant messenger service such as Yahoo Messenger, ICQ, etc, installed on other smartphones or PCs, BB users (or clients) talk to each other directly while the
server only determines which contacts are logged on or not.

With BBM, the server stays involved as it would if you were sending e-mails. All communications go through BlackBerry maker Research in Motion’s servers as users continue to exchange messages.

Why is it a security threat to the UAE ?

BlackBerry’s technical configuration allows users to skip the data centre of the local telecommunications company (such as du and etisalat) that offers the service.

Because BBM, e-mail and web browsing data are immediately exported to RIM’s data centre (Canada/UK), BlackBerry users can use them without any legal accountability – causing judicial, social and national security concerns for the UAE, says the TRA. If, for example, a BlackBerry user spreads unfounded rumours causing some kind of social disturbance, authorities in the UAE will be unable to trace and prosecute the original sender.
The TRA said that since 2007, it has been trying to bring BlackBerry services in the UAE in line with the UAE telecommunications regulations. The TRA said it was disappointed and greatly concerned that RIM “appears to be” compliant with similar regulations in other countries.