Etisalat has released a very simple and reliable video calling application that runs on smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Negotiations are reportedly underway on Skype and FaceTime working in the UAE, but we have a lot more to do, so this may be an ideal solution.
HiU Messenger enables users to talk to anyone in the world via voice or HD video, and the app can also be used to send instant messages. It also has a group chat function that supports up to 200 contacts at a time. The app is entirely free to download for a two-week trial, and after that costs AED 50 per month. The purchase plan will also allow the use of BOTIM and C’Me, two other official Etisalat apps available on iOS and Android.
At the same time, Microsoft said earlier this year that it was “full of hope” for overturning the UAE ban on Skype. Currently, mobile video calling technology is limited to applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Viber, and Snapchat. Skype was banned in the UAE for the first time in January, and UAE officials have expressed concerns about the security of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services such as Skype or WhatsApp video calls.