The UAE's Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) immediately countered claims made by an Arabic newspaper in Dubai, which was then syndicated by other news outlets.
"In reference to the Article published in Emarat Al Youm May 12, 2013 on the penalties of using Skype, attributing certain statements to the TRA; the TRA hereby confirms that it did not make any such statements," read the statement issued on tra.gov.ae, published on Sunday.
Skype, the free VoIP (Voice over IP) service, has been blocked in the UAE for a number of years, with internet users denied access to the official website for the product. However, both Etisalat and du allowed access to skype.com last month, although the TRA states the service is still unauthorised.
In the refuted story, Majid Al Masmar, Acting Director General of the TRA, was reported to have said: "There is a big difference for subscribers when they get online Skype services formally through the two licenced operators and when they illegally download it via the internet, as is currently done by a large number of the people."
Whilst it is not clear how subscribers can gain access to Skype services 'formally', the TRA's head, Mohammad Al Ganem, indicated last month that both UAE telcos, Etisalat and du, were yet to apply for permission to deliver the service.
The TRA's statement was clear to specify that 'the provisions of article (71) do not apply in this case'. This refers to Article 71 of the UAE Telecommunications Act, which covers the use of VoIP and lists fines of between Dhs 5,000 and Dhs 1m and jail terms of up to two years for use of such services.
Browse
related articles
Skype users in UAE will not face jail, though confusion remains
- United Arab Emirates: Monday, May 13 - 2013 at 15:40
Related content
UAE Skype users can breathe easier after the country's telecom regulator denied reports they could be landed with a maximum Dhs 1m fine and will not face imprisonment for up to two years.
Article Options
Steven Bond, ReporterMonday, May 13 - 2013 at 15:40 UAE local time (GMT+4)
Replication or redistribution in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AME Info FZ LLC / 4C.
Disclaimer »
The information comprised in this section is not, nor is it held out to be, a solicitation of any person to take any form of investment decision. The content of the AMEinfo.com Web site does not constitute advice or a recommendation by AME Info FZ LLC / 4C and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) any decision relating to investments or any other matter. You should consult your own independent financial adviser and obtain professional advice before exercising any investment decisions or choices based on information featured in this AMEinfo.com Web site.
AME Info FZ LLC / 4C can not be held liable or responsible in any way for any opinions, suggestions, recommendations or comments made by any of the contributors to the various columns on the AMEinfo.com Web site nor do opinions of contributors necessarily reflect those of AME Info FZ LLC / 4C.
In no event shall AME Info FZ LLC / 4C be liable for any damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, direct, special, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages, or damages for lost profits, loss of revenue, or loss of use, arising out of or related to the AMEinfo.com Web site or the information contained in it, whether such damages arise in contract, negligence, tort, under statute, in equity, at law or otherwise.
