The UAE has two licensed telecom operators, e& (formerly Etisalat) and du, plus Virgin Mobile which runs on du’s network. Every SIM must be registered against an original Emirates ID, and residents can hold up to five active SIMs per operator. Visitors can register two SIMs on a passport. This guide covers choosing an operator, getting connected, and managing your account.
- New resident? You need your original Emirates ID to register a SIM.
- Visiting? A passport gets you a tourist SIM with limited validity.
- Choosing a network? Compare coverage and plan structure, not just price.
The operators and who owns the networks
The UAE telecom market is a deliberate duopoly. Only two companies hold public telecom licences, and everything else you see in the market runs on one of their networks. Understanding that structure explains a lot about pricing and coverage.
| Provider | Status | Network used |
|---|---|---|
| e& (formerly Etisalat) | Licensed operator | Its own network |
| du | Licensed operator | Its own network |
| Virgin Mobile UAE | Virtual operator, not separately licensed | Runs on du’s network |
Two naming points cause confusion. Etisalat rebranded to e&, so the two names refer to the same company and older guides and signage still use the old one. And du is the trading name of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company.
The whole market is overseen by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, the TDRA, which sets the registration rules that apply regardless of which provider you choose. Our e& vs du comparison covers how the two licensed operators differ in practice.
Registering a SIM in the UAE
You cannot buy an anonymous SIM in the UAE. Every card is registered to an identified person, and the rules are set nationally rather than by the operator.
| Who you are | What you need |
|---|---|
| Resident | Your original Emirates ID |
| Visitor or tourist | Your passport, for a SIM with limited validity |
| Copies or scans | Not accepted, the original document is required |
| Applies to | All SIMs, whether for calls or data only |
The original-document rule is strict and worth planning around. A photograph of your Emirates ID on your phone will not do, and neither will a photocopy. If your card is still being processed, you will struggle to register a resident SIM, which is why many new arrivals start on a tourist SIM and switch later. The Emirates ID process itself is covered in our Emirates ID guide.
The requirement covers data-only SIMs too, so a tablet or mobile router SIM needs registering exactly like a phone.
How many SIMs you can hold
There is a cap on how many active SIMs one identity can hold, and the way it is counted contains a genuine trap.
| Holder | Typical limit |
|---|---|
| UAE residents | Up to 5 active SIMs per operator |
| UAE nationals | Reported at up to 10 |
| Visitors and tourists | 2 SIMs per passport |
Here is the part that catches people out. The limit is counted per network, not per brand. e& counts against its own network, but because Virgin Mobile runs on du’s network, du and Virgin Mobile SIMs are counted together rather than separately.
So if you already hold several du SIMs, taking a Virgin Mobile line does not give you a fresh allowance. If you genuinely need a lot of active numbers, splitting them between e& and the du side of the market gives you more headroom than stacking them on one network.
Plan types and what to expect
All three providers offer the same broad product categories, so the choice is usually about price, coverage and how you prefer to manage the account.
| Product | Best for |
|---|---|
| Prepaid | Control over spend, no contract, easy to top up |
| Postpaid | Heavier users, bundled allowances, monthly billing |
| Tourist SIM | Short visits, bought on a passport |
| eSIM | Compatible phones, no physical card needed |
| 5G home internet | Homes without a fibre connection, quick to set up |
| Roaming | Travel, added to an existing line |
A word on pricing throughout this section. Telecom promotions in the UAE change frequently, with bundles, seasonal offers and new-customer deals appearing and expiring. We describe plan structures and typical price bands rather than presenting a specific promotional price as though it were permanent, and every guide carries a verified date. Always confirm the current offer on the operator’s own site before committing.
Every guide in this section
The decision guides come first, since choosing the right plan matters more than any single account task. The account guides cover the things you will need repeatedly.
Choosing a plan
- e& vs du: which is better
- The cheapest data plans
- The best tourist SIM
- eSIM in the UAE
- Home internet and 5G routers
- Virgin Mobile UAE explained
- FIVE SIM: codes, packs and support
- Roaming packages compared
- The cheapest international calls
Managing your line
- Activating and registering a SIM
- Check your e& balance and data
- Check your du balance and data
- Transfer credit to another number
- Emergency credit and mobile loans
- e& Quick Pay: bills and recharge
- du Quick Pay and Quick Recharge
- Find your own mobile number
- Check the SIMs on your Emirates ID
- Update your Emirates ID on your SIM
- Keep your number when switching network
- Cancel an e& or du plan
Help, safety and support
- e& customer care numbers
- du customer care numbers
- Block and report spam calls
Frequently asked questions
How many telecom operators are there in the UAE?
Two licensed operators, e& (formerly Etisalat) and du. Virgin Mobile also sells services but is not separately licensed, running instead as a virtual operator on du’s network. The market is regulated by the TDRA.
Can I buy a SIM card without an Emirates ID?
Visitors can buy a tourist SIM using a passport, with limited validity set by the operator. Residents must register using an original Emirates ID. Copies and scanned images are not accepted for either route, so bring the physical document.
How many SIM cards can I have in the UAE?
Residents can typically hold up to five active SIMs per operator, with UAE nationals reported at up to ten and visitors limited to two per passport. Because Virgin Mobile runs on du’s network, du and Virgin SIMs count together rather than separately.
Is Etisalat the same as e&?
Yes. Etisalat rebranded to e&, so the two names refer to the same operator. Older guides, shopfronts and even some signage still use the Etisalat name, but there is no difference in the service or the network behind it.
Last verified: October 2026. Telecom pricing and promotions change frequently, so confirm current offers with the operator before committing.
Written by Roman Shah · Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Source: Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA); The UAE Government Portal (u.ae)
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