The offer is valid for both Etisalat and Du customers

The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced that it has instructed telcos Etisalat and Du to give hearing-impaired residents free access to online video call apps BOTIM and C’Me, in honour of Arab Deaf Week this month.

Normally priced starting at Dhs50 per month, the apps are currently the TRA’s only officially sanctioned methods for video chat. More popular services such as Skype and FaceTime are blocked in the UAE.

Announced via social media, there is no mention of how long the fee waiver will be in effect, however the move coincides with Arab Deaf Week which falls during the last full week of April – so it is expected that the usual monthly fee will not be charged if you register before Tuesday, May 1.

مجانا ولا رسوم شهرية على تطبيقات التواصل المرئي CM’e و BOTIM للصم . . تزامنا مع #أسبوع_الأصم_العربي #هيئة_تنظيم_الاتصالات تتعاون مع #اتصالات و #دو لتقديم تطبيقات التواصل المرئي للصم مجانا . . Free subscription for audio-visual applications no monthly fees for CM’E and BOTIM for the deaf . . Coinciding with the Arab Deaf Week, TRA collaborates with Etisalat and du to offer free subscription for audio-visual applications . #هيئة_تنظيم_الاتصالات #السعادة #الهيئة_العامة_لتنظيم_قطاع_الاتصالات #اتصالات #دو #قطاع_الاتصالات #الامارات @hessabuhumaid @mocduae @happyuae @ohoodalroumi @etisalat @du

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According to a report from the The Khaleej Times, a senior TRA official noted that the move forms part of the UAE Vision 2021 with an aim to boosting the quality of life and happiness for all people in the country.

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