Internet Service Providers
Etisalat and Du are the sole providers of internet services in Dubai. Which provider you use will be determined by the area in which you live.
Prices for Du packages are:
- 256 kbps – AED 149
- 512 kbps – AED 189
- 1 mbps – AED 249
- 2mbps – AED 349
- 8 mbps – AED 449
- 16 mbps – AED 549
- 24 mbps – AED 749
Prices for Etisalat packages are:
- 256 kbps (limited) – AED 79
- 256 kbps – AED 149
- 512 kbps – AED 189
- 1 mbps – AED 249
- 2mbps – AED 349
- 4 mbps – AED 449
- 8 mbps – AED 499
- 16 mbps – AED 549
- 30 mbps – AED 699
The following documentation is needed:
- a copy of your passport with a valid residence visa
- a copy of your tenancy agreement
- a letter of no objection if your company is paying for your rent
If you have an Etisalat landline, the application to Etisalat can be made by phone. However, if you do not, you will have to visit your nearest Du or Etisalat office. An up-to-date list of offices with location maps can be found on the websites of these companies.
Installation will usually take place within about a week of your application. A technician will make an appointment to visit your home and set up your connection for you.
For further details, see the following websites:
Etisalat – http://www.etisalat.ae/ Du – http://www.du.ae/en/category/athome/broadband/Censorship
You will find that certain internet sites are censored for religious, cultural, or political reasons. These are mainly pornography sites or sites which criticize countries in the Gulf region. Sites such as Skype are also censored in most areas of Dubai.
Internet cafes
Internet cafes can be found in Deira and Bur Dubai. These typically charge around AED 20 per hour. Many popular cafes around the city, such as Starbucks, also offer WiFi to customers for a similar price.
