The recent decision by the Telecommunications Regulations Authority (TRA), the UAE's telecommunications regulatory body, banning Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) certainly does not fall in favour with the end-users.
The ban undoubtedly steers away from taking maximum advantage of technology.
Worldwide, developments in the telecommunications services have transcended many technical obstacles and managed to reach, and benefit, people on a mass scale. And with time, these developments have further intertwined telecommunications with the internet.
The UAE is no exception in developing its telecommunications sector. Disappointingly though, the varieties of services on offer have lagged behind the technical developments achieved in the sector's infrastructure.
The banning of the VoIP is a case in point. Regardless of TRA's justifications on the matter, it is a fact that in these times of rising prices, customers would always seek attractive and appealing low-cost services.
The UAE's telecommunications sector should decide on competitive rather than restrictive measures.
