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And it’s finally happening! Just after removing the Skype ban last year, Saudi Arabia has now lifted the ban on Whatsapp calls so the residents can now make free calls to their home country.
What’s It?
If you thought the talks were on and the dates are yet to be finalized, you may be wrong. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has lifted the ban on WhatsApp calls. This comes just in line after Saudi lifted the ban on Skype, earlier last year.
However, there is no update yet on FaceTime.
Saudi Arabia finally allows WhatsApp Calls! Dear #UAE,
please ?? be ??next ???? pic.twitter.com/MqiUaqXyI8— Mohit Dantre (@mohit_dantre) March 14, 2019
But, Dubai, you don’t have to be disappointed! In a recent statement, Microsoft said that they are “hopeful” about lifting the Skype ban that has been currently imposed in the UAE. And we also hear talks are already on to do the needful.
“We are passionate about the benefits that Skype offers to our users around the world by facilitating communication and enabling collaboration.” as said by a Microsoft spokesman in a statement to The National.
Currently, all free calling options like WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime, vibe, snapchat are blocked in the UAE. Residents now use an alternative paid service called BOTIM, provided by local telecom companies. But it seems it’s going to change soon and the residents might be able to use Skype once again. The UAE telecom officials and Microsoft are in deep talks of overturning the ban on Skype in the country.