Communication Options in Dubai
Landline
Du and Etisalat are the two sole providers of landlines in Dubai. You will have no choice between these two companies as they have divided up the city between them.
Etisalat
Application forms can be obtained from one of the 46 Etisalat offices or downloaded from the website (http://www.etisalat.ae). The form must be submitted to an Etisalat office along with:
- a copy of your passport with a valid residence visa
- your tenancy agreement
- a letter of no objection from your employer if they are paying your rent
The installation will be carried out within four or five days. The installation charge is AED 180. Rental charges are AED 45 per quarter. Both pre-paid and post-paid services are available.
Du
Applications can be made at a Du shop, or online from http://shop.du.ae. You will need to take with you:
- a copy of your passport with a valid residence visa
- your tenancy agreement
- a letter of no objection from your employer if they are paying your rent
Landlines with Du are available in a package with broadband and cable television. An initial activation fee of AED 25 is payable for the landline. The installation will be carried out within four or five working days.
Du gives pay-by-the second rates, flat rates for national calls outside Dubai, and off-peak rates for all international calls.
Mobile
Mobile phones are very popular in Dubai with some people choosing to use them instead of landlines. Local calls are relatively cheap, 15-30 fils per minute. Phones themselves are not subsidized and start at around AED 300 for the cheapest models, increasing up to several thousand dirhams for more expensive models.
Etisalat and Du are also the providers of mobile phone services. Etisalat is the more popular provider although people often prefer to stay with the same company that they use for their landline and internet connection.
Etisalat
Etisalat offers both pre-paid and post-paid mobile phone packages. They also offer a range of Blackberry and i-phone packages.
For pre-paid packages, you need to take a copy of your passport to any Etisalat office, post office, or mobile phone store. You do not need to have a residence visa making it a good option for those who have just arrived in Dubai. The initial cost is AED 165 followed by yearly renewal charges of AED 100.
For post-paid packages, you need a copy of your passport with a valid residence visa and proof from your employer that you earn more than AED 2,500 per month. The subscription costs an initial AED 100.
Du
Du offers pay-as-you-go and monthly packages. They also offer Blackberry and i-phone packages.
The pay-as-you-go package is available from any Du shop. You need a passport copy with a valid visa or a UAE driving license. The connection fee is AED 55 which includes AED 10 free credit. Annual renewal charges are AED 55.
The monthly plan is also available from Du shops. You need to provide a copy of your passport with a valid residence visa together with a letter from your employer stating that you earn more than AED 2,500 per month. The connection charge is AED 125 and there is a monthly fee of AED 25 per month.
