Skype blocked in UAE, but here are some other alternatives

Other alternatives

The nation's two telecommunications providers, etisalat and du, have both listed a VoIP-based app, Botim, as part of their 'unlimited' voice and video call service. It joins C'Me, another VoIP app that has been available for some time now, as an approved service.

Sounds good. But you'll have to fork out a monthly service fee to 'legally' use the service.

Both service providers have listed Dh50 and Dh100 as monthly fees: the former is for one user, while the latter is for each member of your family. The fees are automatically renewed per month. Check out etisalat's plans here and du's here.

Of course, both you and the party you wish to call should be using either Botim and C'Me to enjoy those endless hours of freebies.

The UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has stated that there has been no change in its stancewith regards to VoIP, referring to its regulatory policy on the service. It falls at No. 14 on its list of prohibited Internet content.

But if you read the policy carefully, a VoIP service will be allowed in the UAE if it meets certain criteria and conditions.

Last year, when Google Duo was launched, many expected that it would be blocked in the UAE. It didn't happen, and it functions normally to this day.

And in June of this year, WhatsApp calls surprisingly worked, albeit for only a brief period of time. The TRA clarified that it is disallowed in the UAE.