The Mobile Internet in the UAE: How To Choose the Best Option?

As tourists navigate the vibrant landscapes of UAE, mobile internet stands as the indispensable companion, bridging distances, and connecting communities. This guide will advise how to keep your devices online during travel without breaking the bank.

I. Mobile Internet coverage and speed in the UAE

1. UAE Mobile Internet Coverage

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Etisalat and du lead the group of major carriers, offering a range of mobile, fixed and internet services to both local residents and international visitors.

According to a report, mobile network coverage in various regions of the UAE has achieved 100%.

• Du: Du boasts a 99.0% coverage rate, ensuring almost constant access to mobile internet services across the UAE. Range: Du focuses on urban areas but also provides reliable coverage in rural regions.
• Etisalat: Etisalat maintains a 98.8% coverage rate, offering continuous and dependable service to users. Range: Etisalat has broad coverage, spanning urban, rural, and desert areas of the UAE.

In summary, both Du and Etisalat provide extensive and reliable coverage in the UAE, ensuring that users can easily and continuously access their services, regardless of their location in the country.

2. UAE Mobile Internet Speed

The UAE is ranked in 2th, tops the global ranking among 137 countries for mobile internet speed, boasting an impressive average data rate of 179.61 megabytes per second (Mbps) as of February 2023. 

This remarkable speed is a whopping 33.5% higher than the 134.48 Mbps recorded in September 2023, while the global average lags behind at a mere 30 Mbps1. According to Opensignal’s report, Dubai ranked No. 1 and Abu Dhabi ranked No. 3 in the list of cities with the fastest mobile internet speeds in the world.

To put it in perspective, the UAE’s mobile internet speed is nearly six times faster than the global average!

Note: Internet speeds are AVERAGE speeds. NOT the fastest internet speeds available in the UAE.

II. Mobile Internet in the UAE: Connectivity Options for Tourists

Staying connected is facilitated by a range of options, including public Wi-Fi, roaming services, local SIM cards, and eSIM.

This is the table comparing the pros, cons, and price of connectivity options for travelers to UAE.

Connectivity Option	Pros	Cons	Price Range
Free Wi-Fi	Cost-effective Widely available	Security concerns Limited coverage Speed may vary	Free to Limited
Pocket Wi-Fi	Shareable among multiple devices Reliable connectivity	Additional device to carry Battery life concerns	$30 – $100 (per week)
eSIM	No physical SIM card needed Flexibility to switch carriers digitally	Limited device compatibility Regional availability	$10 – $30 (per GB)
SIM Card	Access to local networks Affordable data plans	Inconvenient to switch SIM cards Phone number change	$10 – $50 (varies based on data plan)
Roaming	Seamless connectivity using home network No need to switch SIM cards	Expensive Data limits apply Limited to supported countries	$0.50 – $5 (per MB)

In addition, both SIM cards and eSIMs are two options that offer the best value for travelers, with eSIMs being highly recommended. With eSIMs, there’s no need to queue for SIM cards at the airport, worry about losing or damaging physical SIM cards since they can be retained, or deal with identification documents. Moreover, utilizing eSIMs provides access to the network of Etisalat, known for its extensive coverage, ensuring that users enjoy seamless connectivity and browsing speeds comparable to traditional SIM cards.

UAEeSIM.com as a reputable partner in the field of providing eSIM services in the UAE, we are proud to use the network infrastructure of leading providers in the region. With maximum flexibility, we offer customers flexible eSIM packages at reasonable prices.

Moreover, UAE esim presents a diverse array of eSIM packages tailored for the US. Commencing prices at just $4.9, the packages span up to $154.9.

III. Mobile Internet Rates in the UAE

In the UAE, the mobile internet market is primarily dominated by Du and Etisalat. Additionally, there’s Virgin Mobile, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that operates on the Du network.

Mobile Operator	Price for 10GB Data	Validity	Additional Features
Du	$34	28 days	Various prepaid SIM packages with flexible data and call options
Etisalat	$34	28 days	Diverse prepaid SIM plans with flexible data and call allowances
Virgin Mobile	Customizable via app	Flexible	Tailored packages for users, delivery anywhere in UAE, customizable plans

IV. Best Mobile Operators in the UAE

This is the table comparing mobile operators in the UAE about prepaid SIM card, Data, Additional Features.

Details	Etisalat	Du
SIM Card Cost	Various packages available	– Without a package: ~10 AED (2.70 USD)
		– With bundle package: Starting from 49 AED (13.23 USD)
Package Options	– 8-Day Package: AED 79 (21.33 USD) – 4GB data, 30 Flexi minutes	– Options available with different data and minutes bundles
	– Premium 28-Day Package: AED 125 (33.75 USD) – 8GB data, 120 Flexi minutes, 5 Wi-Fi hours
	– Unlimited Data Package: AED 319 (86.13 USD) – 10 days unlimited data, 100 Flexi hours
Visitor Line Validity	Valid until your visa expires	Not specified
Long-Term Packages	Other pre-paid and post-paid packages available for extended stays in Dubai	Not specified
Purchase Locations	Not specified	On arrival at the airport or from the Du store

Both networks provide reliable coverage across the city. While Du provides SIM cards with better affordability, they are more suited for travelers exploring major urban centers. For those seeking reliable coverage and browsing speeds without concerns, Etisalat remains highly recommended for tourists.

V. FAQs

VI. Conclusion

In summary, when exploring the UAE, securing reliable mobile internet enhances your travel experience. While international roaming is an option, choosing a local SIM card or eSIM proves cost-effective and dependable, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity