09 July 2006

Dubai: Cisco Systems, the global network solutions company, said it is negotiating with the UAE's telecom operators, Etisalat and du, to launch Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in the UAE.

VoIP is currently banned in the country - a status that could be changed in the coming months.

Samer Alkharrat, general manager of Cisco Systems Gulf Region, told Gulf News that the two operators are waiting for the TRA approval to start introducing the VoIP services in the UAE.

"The equipment, the technology, and the IT networks solutions is ready in the UAE for the VoIP and the multimedia over the internet protocol (MoIP), but the market needs a clear regulation before start the services," Al Kharrat said.

"The issue not only technology, it is also policy, revenues, and regulation. Cisco Systems has a 20 years' knowledge base and experience in VoIP and is ready for supplying any service provider with the latest technology and equipments," he added.

An International Data Corporation study suggests a shortfall of knowledge workers in the UAE and Arab economies that could hamper the sector's further growth in the coming years.

Alkharrat said that the networking skills shortage could become critical in hindering technology adoption and economic growth in these high growth markets unless action is taken now.

"We need to continue to work with the governments of these countries to raise awareness of employment opportunities across the regions, and encourage students to learn and develop both basic and advanced networking technology skills," he said.

The situation is more critical when certain technology areas are singled out. For example, the shortfall between supply and demand in advanced networking technology skills (IP telephony, security and wireless) will be 35 per cent in 2009.

Again, this is in contrast to findings from Western and Eastern Europe that showed an average advanced networking skills gap of 15.8 per cent by 2008.

IDC expects the ongoing economic expansion in the region to have a strong impact on ICT demand, including networking skills.

As an example, IDC forecasts demand for IT in the Middle East to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 16.9 per cent between 2005 and 2009.

By Mohammad Ezz Al Deen

Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.