Got an iPhone4, but bought it at the full price from one of the bigger chains at MOE. The hefty price tag ensures that the phone is an European version that is fully unlocked, ie you get all the features including facetime.
If you buy a phone through Etisalat or Du, there will be a few features that will not be working.......
If you look on
FaceTime on iPhone 4 : du and Etisalat, there is a post regarding the pros and cons of the etisalat and du phones.
Basically, according to this site, the TRA got involved and made a deal with Apple(same nonsense as the Blackberry fiasco), that phones to be supplied to these two orgs would have things like facetime removed.....it works on the model number on your phone (all phones with AE or LL in the model number), and if you update your carrier settings.
All the phones come with version 4.0.2 software, if you upgrade to 4.1 (carrier settings update), and have a phone from etisalat or du, then you will lose facetime. It affects all phones with either AE or LL in the model number. You can find the model number under Settings, About, then scroll down to see the model number.
If you have a phone from Etisalat or Du and have the AE or LL in the model number, don't upgrade to 4.1 . Keep it working on 4.0.2........if you have already upgraded, then you will probably not have facetime working.
As for skype, I downloaded it from the UAE iTunes store as a free app, works absolutely fine...go figure.....