It’s the news everyone in Dubai is holding out for…

This week, word that the UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) was in discussions with Microsoft and Apple about lifting the ban on popular online calling services such as Skype and FaceTime in the UAE went viral.

Since currently there’s no way to make free calls internationally, in a city with majority expats, this news effects a lot of people.

A Microsoft representative confirmed to Gulf News that the tech giant IS in talks with UAE authorities

With the aim of lifting the ban on Skype, which is a Microsoft service, a spokesperson for Microsoft said;

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“We have been working closely with the local authorities towards gaining a better understanding of the local requirements in an effort to get Skype unblocked. We are passionate about the benefits that Skype offers to our users around the world by facilitating communication and enabling collaboration.”

And with Microsoft expanding in the region later this year, rolling out two new data centres, it could just become a reality.

Fingers crossed!

Read: 3 Alternatives To Skype In The UAE That You May Not Have Thought Of