14 DAY TRIAL // Skype is still being banned in the UAE, so customers who attempt to use its services without a license to could spend as much as two years in prison.
A report published by Emirates247 reveals that the UAE Telecommunication Regulator Authority (TRA) requires users who wish to start phone calls via Skype to hold a license. Otherwise, they could get a penalty of two years in prison and a fine of Dh 1 million (€272,000 / €209,000).
According to the report, unauthorized use of Skype has increased a lot lately, so local authorities need to step up a little bit and give penalties to those using the service without authorization.
“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,” Majid Al Masmar, acting director general of TRA, was quoted as saying.