Oman: 212 held for providing VoiP 

(MENAFN - Times of Oman) The Royal Oman Police (ROP) raided 121 cyber cafes throughout the country and arrested 212 people for providing illegal Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoiP) service, a senior police officer said here yesterday.

Many cyber cafes and individuals were found using VoIP technology to provide cheap international phone services to customers, resulting in huge losses for local telecommunication providers, the officer said.

Speaking to Times Of Oman, the officer, on condition of anonymity, said: "Around 212 accused of various Asian nationalities have been arrested since the beginning of the year till October 26."

Of the 121 cases, Muscat reported 42, the highest. "Nineteen cases were reported from Al Dakhilyah and Al Batinah, 18 from Dhofar, 16 from Al Sharqiyah, four from Al Dahirah and three from Al Wusta," the officer said.

"Most arrests were made after the Directorate General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigation was tipped off about people using Internet and some technical devices to sell the cheap calling cards," the officer said

The ROP has intensified raids in many areas across the Sultanate and has sought support from the public, the officer said.

Providing telecommunications services (international phone calls without a licence through Internet Protocol) is illegal in the Sultanate as per provisions of Article (20) of the Telecommunications Regulatory Act. Officials point out that violators of the telecom law will have to shell out RO50,000 or spend two years in jail or both.

By Rahima Al Balushi