Snapchat calling seemed so exciting to the app’s diehard fans. But then it was blocked…

Many of you may feel a decade to old to understand Snapchat, but for the 7 per cent of UAE residents that use Snapchat the latest update to the app that introduced a call feature worldwide was majorly exciting.

Unfortunately, this new option has already been blocked by UAE telecom providers Etisalat and du.

The new feature allowed users to make video or phone calls to their Snapchat contacts from within the app’, but the ability to do so was soon blocked within the UAE.

Snapchat calls joins a fairly long list of blocked communication channels in the UAE, including Apple Facetime and Whatsapp calls. However, Facebook Messenger calling still works in the UAE.

According to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the UAE (TRA), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a regulated activity in the UAE.

The TRA website says that VoIP can currently only be provided by du and etisalat in the UAE.

“Companies wishing to provide [VoIP] services should coordinate with the UAE’s licensed service providers in this regard,” du said in a statement to local media. Etisalat released a similar statement.

In some better Snapchat news, we’ve joined the party! Follow us for up-to-the-minute updates about Dubai on username: whatsondubai.