People in the United Arab Emirates woke up to the perfect pre-Eid surprise this morning: WhatsApp voice and video calls are finally available in the country, according to residents and social media users who have tested and tried the service.
Previously, the video and voice calls on the instant messaging service had been among the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services that were blocked in the UAE.
VoIP services, digital telephone services in which calls are made over the Internet through apps like WhatsApp, Viber and Snapchat, are restricted in the Emirates, and only licensed providers are authorized to offer such services.
But as of Thursday morning, the WhatsApp call service was reported to be operational, according to social media users and UAE residents. Khaleej Times tested the service on both WiFi and mobile data, confirming the news.
Users have said that they are able to place calls using the du or Etisalat networks within the UAE and abroad.
The reason behind the new development remains unclear, as authorities have not released a conclusive statement on the matter.
According to Al Bayan, the UAE's Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) has said that there is no change in the policy applied in the country concerning VoIP services.
"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," Khaleej Times quoted the TRA as saying.
StepFeed has contacted the UAE's TRA and the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation Etisalat for clarification.
Regardless, this calls for some celebratory GIFs
Mabrook UAE!
Time to call everyone on your contact list!
Not everyone is happy about the endless calls they'll be receiving ...
People are suspicious ... Is it just a temporary 'eidiyya?
"Believe me, they allowed it just for Eid and they will block it again afterwards."