Du blocks Skype, offers cheap international tariff

United Arab Emirates operator Du unveiled a new mobile tariff on Monday, potentially cutting the price of international calls. But reports coming in suggest the carrier has blocked access to Skype’s internet telephony service in the same breath.

Thousands of UAE-based subscribers are understood to have lost the ability to make internet phone calls using the VoIP software following the implementation of a new filtering system by Du.

At the time, the operator said the implementation of the filter, to block pornographic and other offensive material, was required under local law. But some now suggest it is being used to prevent users accessing cheaper VoIP telephony services.

The Freetime offer launched by Du this week means that all subscribers are credited with 1 fils worth of credit for every second of international phone call they make, allowing them to offset their monthly bill or add top up credit automatically.