UAE to suspend Blackberry service on security fears (UPDATE 3X)

Updates added to the end of the Article  (2 text updates+1 video added) 

The United Arab Emirates Will suspend the use of the Blackberry Services in October, due to security risks, this ban will affect an estimated half a million users in the country.


As mentioned by the "Mr.Mohammed Al Ghanem" the director of the TRA , censorship is not the reason but its all about compliance with the TRA Rules.


The objection is because Blackberry service is the only service that requires data to be exported offshore and that data is managed by "Foreign, commercial operation"


This is shocking news to all nationals and residents in the UAE and we hope to see both the TRA and Blackberry reach a common ground and solve this issue.


Link to TRA article: CLICK ME!

Ban will start on October the 11th.


Etisalat, The leading Wireless provider said on a notice on the site:  

"Etisalat was informed on August 1, 2010 by the UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) to suspend BlackBerry services providing email, web browsing, instant messaging and social networking from October 11, 2010 until an acceptable solution can be developed and applied which brings the BlackBerry services in line with the UAE’s telecommunications regulations. This is an important decision made by the Regulatory Authority and we fully understand the legal and social considerations behind the decision.

Etisalat has an obligation to act within the law and the regulations of the TRA, while at the same time, providing our customers with the best service. It is very important for us to ensure our customers enjoy continuity of services.

Etisalat's focus at the current time is to make sure its valued customers experience continuity of mobility services. In line with its commitment towards its customers, Etisalat will soon be announcing a range of alternative mobility products and services for its existing blackberry customers.

"

UPDATE 1                                                                                                                                           
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*Etisalat The leading telecommunication provider in the UAE announced plans and offers as a replacement to the Blackberry these include 

• Bundled SMS, MMS
• Bundled data usage
• Bundled Voice minutes to choose from
• Alternative Smartphones

Full offer details available at http://www.etisalat.ae/blackberry/alternative.html

*Du (another provider) is expected to offer similar offers in the coming days.

UPDATE 2                                                                                               

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* The kingdom of Saudi Arabia Announced that Its banning the Blackberry Messenger Service, I check The Saudi TRA site and found no press release about this. but this is from a BBC Article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10860491

UPDATE 3                                                                                             

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This is a Quick Update .Today Friday the 8th of August the Law is KSA should take effect, but when visiting the operators sites there doesn't seem to be any Ban notice its just the opposite They have BB offers. watch the video.
pardon me for any mistakes in the editing or narration its a quick one.