After more than a year and a half, Ufone has managed to restore Facebook and Twitter apps for BlackBerry users after developing a content filtering solution which blocks specific pages of a website, a technology not yet available with BlackBerry mobile manufacturer Research In Motion.
Ufone’s BlackBerry service subscribers have been able to use their Facebook and Twitter apps since last Thursday, a service which was blocked in May 2010.
A company official who requested anonymity confirmed that Ufone – in consultation with Research in Motion (RIM) has installed a content filtering solution which restricts access to specific Facebook pages banned by the local authorities.
On May 20, 2010, Lahore High Court – in response to a petition – ordered Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block Facebook and other websites containing blasphemous content across Pakistan. The move was triggered after a contest invited users to draw caricatures of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Telecom regulator PTA blocked Facebook and other websites with blasphemous material including Facebook app on BlackBerry devices.
Later on, when access to the controversial page was blocked, the court directed PTA to unblock the website.
While internet service providers across the country were able to unblock Facebook and other websites amid blocking access to certain pages, RIM could not do the same as it does not have the technology to block specific pages or URLs, official said.
When Ufone approached RIM, they were told to either block or unblock the entire websites, official added.
However, with this new filtering approach, Ufone has managed to unblock Facebook apps with filtering for specific URLs that are ordered to be blocked in Pakistan.
Other telecom companies will also follow and apply content filtering solutions for their BB subscribers, the official further said.
Update:
Ufone has officially announced the restoration of BIS services, following is the company PR on this:
Once again Ufone has managed to delight its valued customers by restoring the much desired BlackBerry Internet Services.
The BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) is a service that provides BlackBerry smartphone users with access to Internet browsing, allows email messaging, instant messaging using the BlackBerry Messenger service, and more. The service also allows users to access POP3, IMAP, and Outlook Web Access email accounts without connecting through a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES).
After more than a year and a half, Ufone is the first operator in the country which has managed to restore applications for BlackBerry users after developing a content filtering solution which blocks specific pages of a website, a technology not yet available with BlackBerry mobile manufacturer Research In Motion.
BlackBerry users can now enjoy full features and benefits of BlackBerry Internet Services. The users can make use of faster Internet browsing experience through BlackBerry Browser and enjoy built in social networking applications such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc. Access to social feeds and BlackBerry maps has also been restored, along with access to other upcoming BlackBerry services such as Application World, BlackBerry Protect, etc.
Speaking on the restoration of BlackBerry services, Akbar Khan, Chief Marketing Officer at Ufone, said that we are the only telecom company that has managed to develop a content filtering system which has resulted in restoration of BlackBerry services for users in Pakistan. This is a moment of great pride for the company as we are living up to our promise to deliver the best services to our esteemed customers. He further stated that this move will empower the technologically fast paced youth and corporate sector of Pakistan as they will now be able to enjoy complete benefits of their smartphones once again. By enabling the BB users to use BIS services, the need to stay globally connected with friends and family on the go via various social mediums will be catered to. Truly at Ufone, it is all about ‘U’.
