Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)

.aeDA continues its efforts in protecting intellectual property rights related to domain names

editor — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:12:48 -0800

As part of its commitment toward the local internet community in the UAE, the .ae Domain Administration (.aeDA) of the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) continues to implement the best international practices in protecting Intellectual Property Rights for its registrants. This comes in line with its mandate to enforce all policies related to the operation of the .ae country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) as well as overseeing the operation of the registry system.

To this end, the (.aeDA) has set the Dispute Resolution Policy, published for the public on 2008, which outlines the basis in which conflicts between aspiring claimants arising from the UAE (ccTLD) regarding Domain Name Registrations and Renewals will be handled. Accordingly, it binds registrants over the registration or use of all UAE ccTLD domain names including those under .ae ccTLD and (dotEmarat) Arabic ccTLD (.امارات).

Commenting on the work of the .aeDA and its role in protecting the intellectual property rights, H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim said: “We have launched several phases for domain names registration during the past year. Registration has included governmental entities, companies, trademarks, and public and private establishments with the aim of encouraging and promoting the usage of domain names in the UAE, especially the (.امارات) which has significant benefits for users because it enables them to overcome the language barrier that they may face when surfing the internet. Indeed, these phases of registration might have resulted in some disputes between registrants on intellectual property rights, and this is where the .aeDA plays a vital role to protect intellectual property rights and ensure rightful usage by its legitimate owners, ultimately protecting the intellectual property from exploitation.”

In an effort to avoid disputes and protect intellectual property rights, the .aeDA stated that at the time of making an application for a domain name, an applicant must ensure that all information provided in support of the registration application is true, complete and correct, and is not misleading in any way; and the application to register the domain name has not been made in bad faith.

Al Ghanim added: “Although there are no restrictions in terms of who can register a domain, there are policies that have to be followed. For instance, there are names that fall under the list of Reserved Names that should not be registered for technical, moral, or cultural reasons. Additionally, the .aeDA made clear in its instructions that the registrant should be aware of the responsibilities addressed in its policies and should not violate Intellectual Property Rights of others when choosing a name; a trademark for example.”

Formed by the TRA, a federal governmental department, the .aeDA will continually strive to maintain best practice for the administration of the .ae ccTLD and will administer the .ae domain in a fair and transparent manner.

ICT Report-Bahrain-2011-2012 launched by United Media Services

editor — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:31:14 -0800

United Media Services, the publisher of luxury magazine 'Signature', has recently published 'ICT Report 2011-12 Bahrain'. The Report was unveiled by Basil Al Arrayed, Director-Communications & Consumer Affairs, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

ICT Report 2011-12 is the first of its kind publication in the Kingdom of Bahrain. "The maiden edition of ICT Report Bahrain is a handy comprehensive reference dossier to get an overview as well as complete and latest details of the telecom and IT sectors, and the major ICT companies operating in Bahrain. The bilingual publication with a print run of 8,500 copies will be distributed to key stakeholders in the ICT industry, relevant top managers in the public and private sectors, apex trade bodies and trade missions in the region and embassies apart from being available at the leading book stores," said Vinod Thangoor, Regional Manager, United Media Services.

The publication showcases the vision for the ICT sector in the long term economic development plans in the country, interviews with top industry leaders, analysis from domain experts, reports on key sub-sectors within the ICT industry, etc. "We recognize the need to make a thorough assessment of the future telecommunication needs of Bahrain so as to ensure appropriate actions are taken to achieve competitive broadband communication services, at internationally competitive prices, to support economic and social goals as outlined in the government policy. The assessment will result in a national broadband strategy for Bahrain based on the predicted future needs and requirements of consumers and businesses in the Kingdom," stated Dr.Mohammed Ahmed Al Amer, Chairman of the TRA in an interview with ICT Report.

Talking about the public-private-partnerships (PPP) in the IT sector in Bahrain in another interview with ICT Report, Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, CEO of the eGovernment Authority (eGA) said, "The eGA intends to follow a systematic approach to identifying and implementation of the PPPs. We will start by identifying the potential eGovernment project opportunities for PPPs and then analyzing and structuring eGovernment projects to be viable PPPs."

TRA to disable counterfeit phones

editor — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:01:25 -0800

The Telecommunications and Regulatory Authority (TRA) in the UAE has set a deadline for customers using illegal phones. As of January 1, anyone found using a counterfeit phone will face termination of services from telecom providers. The counterfeit devices are to be detected with the help of mobile operators du and Etisalat.

According to the TRA, the telecom operators can determine whether a device is original by the phone's serial number and if it complies with the International Mobile Equipment Identity standard. Both du and Etisalat have said its services to counterfeit handsets would be suspended. Furthermore, anyone found manufacturing or supplying counterfeit phones can be penalised with a fine of up to Dh1,000,000.

UAE plans to build Internet exchange point

editor — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:43:07 -0800

The UAE plans to build an Internet hub that could speed up web connections throughout the Middle East. Much of the region's internet traffic is routed via Europe, the US and Asia. This rerouting takes "a fraction of a second, but it makes a big difference", Mohamed Al Ghanim, the director general of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, said on Tuesday.

The proposed Internet exchange point would improve downloading speeds locally and regionally. The regional exchange in the UAE. Mr Al Ghanim confirmed that the exchange point is in the final stages of planning, and should launch by next year.

UAE telecom rates may be reduced

editor — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:04:10 -0800

According to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), the UAE could begin cutting telecommunication rates by the end of this year. The TRA, which oversees the communication sector in the UAE, said it has presented rate cut proposals to the two telecom operators, Etisalat and du.

“After nearly three years of work on the price and competitiveness issue, TRA made recommendations which are being considered by the operators,” said TRA director general Mohammed Al Ghanim “We expect such recommendations to be enforced by the end of this year,” he added.

However, the TRA does not intend on granting licenses to new telecom operators. Ghanim said the UAE’s telecom market would remain confined to the present operators for the next few years.

du Telecom ban lifted

editor — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:50:38 -0800

The UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has lifted its ban on du Telecom. The regulator had previously placed a ban on the telecommunications provider after it had launced an advertising campaign that advertised its network as a 4G network.

Du uses what is considered to be a less advanced technology called HSPA+. Following an investigation, the TRA concluded that du can restart its 4G advertising campaign. However, the telecom company's technology must be clearly specified in its campaign.

Skype on Facebook uncertain in UAE

editor — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 01:06:01 -0700

The impact of Facebook’s offering of new free Skype-powered video calling services on its global social media network is still uncertain in the UAE, say telecom analysts.While separate stand-alone Skype software is still not legally licensed in the Emirates, the question remains whether Skype-powered video calling that is physically integrated into the Facebook website is viewed by authorities as a legal activity.

UAE hosts Gulf Satellite Aided Search and Rescue Seminar

editor — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:22:00 -0800

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in cooperation with the Air Force and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is hosting a Gulf Satellite Aided Search and Rescue (SAR) Seminar in Abu Dhabi on 6 - 8 March 2011.

"The seminar is the second international SAR event that the UAE has presented within the last few months." said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, of GCAA. "The GCAA hosted the ICAO Global SAR Forum in June 2010 that brought international experts together to discuss the improvement of global SAR services to a level of uniform compliance with ICAO Standards". Al Suwaidi added.

"This Seminar will focus on closer cooperation by Gulf States to ensure more immediate access to all available expertise, resources and assets in responding to an aircraft emergency." Said Al Suwaidi.

The Seminar will address a number of topics including the present status of Gulf States' SAR services; an overview of the ICAO civil aviation SAR System; an overview of the COSPAS - SARSAT System; the functions of a Rescue Coordination Centre; the concept of a Gulf Aviation SAR Coordination Committee; innovative technology for improved SAR Cooperation; and proposals for an improved Gulf aviation SAR strategy.

The seminar will also discuss other issues such as: Distress Beacons; Cospas-Sarsat Space Segment, Ground Stations and Mission Control Centres; Planning SAR Resources; and ICAO SAR Organization Policy.

The Seminar will feature prestigious speakers from many sectors of the aviation industry and key international, regional, and local organizations. Sessions will comprise short presentations and encourage maximum interaction between speakers, panels and the wider audience.

Telecoms authorities in UAE in talks to allow Skype

editor — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 14:12:16 -0800

Emirates 24|7 reports that telecoms authorities in the UAE are working on ways to make Skype available in the country, according to a statement by Mohamed Al Ghanim, Director-General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), during a Customer Advisory Board (CAB) forum organised by UAE operator du in Dubai. The event aimed at addressing and discussing key issues and trends in customer behaviour and expectations.

Etisalat confirmed as accredited dotEmarat registrar

editor — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:26:19 -0700

UAE trademark holders are urged to apply for their Arabic domain name through Etisalat during the next two months. Etisalat is an accredited registrar with the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and its offices are staffed with specialists able to help registered trademark holders complete the dotEmarat application process.

The TRA has recently announced the opening of a Sunrise Period for trademark holders to apply for dotEmarat domain names. The Sunrise Period will last for two months and offers an unprecedented chance to target an Arab audience and capitalise on new business opportunities. However, Etisalat cautions that upon expiry of the Sunrise Period non-trademark holders will be able to apply for any domain names not registered within the two month period.

Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President Business Solutions, Etisalat said: “Until now there have been challenges in using the Internet to reach specifically Arab audiences. The introduction of Arabic domain names solves this and presents trademark holders with an enormous opportunity. Etisalat urges all registered trademark holders to capitalize on the opportunity and register their dotEmarat domain names in the next two months.”

The Sunrise Period for registered trademarks to apply for dotEmarat domain names will last from October 17 to December 15. Further information on the application process, including details of fees, will be available on the Etisalat website.