The telecoms regulator in the UAE said on Monday that international companies will not be given licences yet for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

"No licences for international companies like Skype for the time being, they can join existing licencees and have partnerships with them," Mohammed Gheyath, executive director for technology development affairs, Telecoms Regulatory Authority (TRA), told reporters.

Asked when the UAE would open up for foreign companies, he said, "there is no timeframe."

Currently, local operators Etisalat and Du as well as satellite firms Yahsat and Thuraya are licenced to offer VoIP, he said.

Local operators have been providing VoIP within the UAE but this could change by the year end.

"It is left to the service providers to start offering VoIP internationally. We hope they will start by this year end," he said. – Reuters