Voice Calls over Whatsapp: A Myth or not?

As you well know that we can send text messages, video, images and recorded audio over Whatsapp to friends all over the world effortlessly. From a simple messaging app it has now grown into a mainstay for many of us to stay in touch. We can now connect with people that we have lost contact over the years if we get in a group that has those friends. It has made the world truly small.

Enter the next logical step in the service offered by Whatsapp; voice calling. You don't have to check the news for this release of Whatsapp. It is yet an unofficial release, but now it is possible to make voice calls using Whatsapp. Basically it uses the VoIP technology to make the calls and allows users to make 'free' calls. To elaborate it uses the internet to make your voice calls, basically free calls anywhere in the world! We think that Whatsapp knew that introducing such a feature would cause problems with the telecom operators in some regions. So it’s no surprise it’s already ruffled feathers in the UAE.

According to emirates247.com the new Whatsapp feature is being blocked by the major telecoms in UAE. Sources say that just hours after this feature was launched, the UAE telecoms scrambled the service. VoIP services can only be offered by licensed telecoms in UAE viz. Etisalat and Du. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) issued a statement about the use of VoIP in the UAE: "VoIP services are still a prerogative of the licensed providers who reserve the right to provide such services through their networks. Companies wishing to offer such services must co-ordinate with the licensed telecom providers in the UAE."

So here is the quandary. If the new calling service has been scrambled, it will take some time to affect all the users in UAE. However according to rumors, those users who have already installed the new feature, might be able to continue using it over Wi-Fi. Also Du users are saying that the service is working without any problems.

None of the parties involved have given us an official comment on the situation.