BlackBerry still in business in the UAE

The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has refuted reports that it has ordered a ban on BlackBerry email services by private individuals and confirmed that the service would remain available.

"The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority confirms the continuation of all BlackBerry services in the UAE to both individuals and to business customers, including BlackBerry messenger, Blackberry email and Blackberry browsing," the TRA said in a statement.

"Any confusion to TRA regulations will be clarified by the TRA with the operators concerned this week."

The statement was issued after reports suggested that access to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server would to be restricted to companies with 20 or more BlackBerry users – forcing smaller firms to lose the services or purchase unused BlackBerry accounts.