UAE’s Telecommunication Regulatory Authority announcement to limit BlackBerry usage is turning the mobile phone market on its ear. The limitation applies to foreign visitors as well as UAE residents. The BlackBerry ban begins October 11th.
Mobile Phone Market in the Middle East Turned on its Ear
The ban is a temporary inconvenience for travelers, but likely a permanent way of life for residents. For many travelers, especially business travelers who are on a short lay-over in Dubai, not being able to access their email on their BlackBerry is a major inconvenience. According to MSNBC, “… puts the federation’s reputation as a business-friendly commercial and tourism hub at risk.” But apparently the ban on data, email and messaging is targeted only on the BlackBerry. Other Smartphones are not restricted. Hmmm…
This is not the first time BlackBerry has been targeted by the UAE. Last year a “software upgrade” was announced that turned out to be spyware so the UAE could monitor data being sent by BlackBerry users. RIM BlackBerry responded by giving users instructions on how to remove the spyware.
Is there an economic motivation behind the BlackBerry Ban? Some cell phone merchants believe it is. With the ban on BlackBerry, other cell phone manufacturers may benefit. Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson had been forced to drop prices due to lost market share. Now perhaps they stand a chance in the UAE market place.
Just a ban on BlackBerry? Seems like something political to me. Yes, perhaps it is motivated by economics. What isn’t? It just makes one wonder what is the really story behind the ban? Got any ideas?
JUST DON’T TRAVEL TO THOSE COUNTRIES.
FIND A WAY TO DO BUSINESS ELSEWHERE.
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PLACE TO SPEND VACATION OR HOLIDAY TIME.
CONTACT THOSE IN LA LA LAND! NOW THEY WON’T BE ABLE TO DO ANY FILMING THERE AND THAT WILL HELP IF THEY ALSO BACK EACH OTHER UP AND PASS THE WORD NOT TO TRAVEL THERE.
Great news! Just today, the UAE and BlackBerry resolved dispute, averting ban.
[...] not being able to access their email on their BlackBerry was a terrible inconvenience. See my blog, Mobile Phone Market in the Middle East Turned on its Ear. The ban was eventually lifted. Now with more controversy in India, RIM is under the gun [...]