Etisalat and Du are the major Service providers in the UAE. They both cater to the needs of consumers, businesses, international telecommunication companies, ISPs, content providers and mobile operators. Also both these corporations have special packages designed for visitors to the UAE.Let's have a close look at the Visitor’s Mobile Package offered.
Etisalat
Etisalat is 60 percent government-owned and 40 percent Emirati citizen owned. Etisalat's mobile prepaid package for visitors is known as AHLAN. You can get access to instant mobile connection for local / international calls and SMS, in addition to having a wireless 3G internet access while being in the country.
How to subscribe
Initial subscription is available for AED 60 at Etisalat kiosks located in Abu-Dhabi, Dubai or in Sharjah international airports. Also, you can visit any of Etisalat Business Centers, outlets or authorized dealers to get a subscription. The owner of Ahlan package should be 18 years or above.
Required documentation:
- Passport Copy
- A Valid Visit Visa attached to the application form.
Features:
- Roaming charges can be avoided
- Free credit worth AED 25 minutes for both local and international calls
- Two international video calls valid for 30 days
- Discounted international tariff plans
- 90 days Validity – Non-renewable
- Voice calls
- SMS
- MMS
- Caller Line Identification – CLI
- Missed Call Notification – MCN
- Call Waiting – CW
- Call Forwarding – CF
- Call Conference – CC
- Global Friends & Family
- SMS Reminder when your balance is below AED 5.
- Discounted mobile broadband packages
- Location Based Services (Mobile Map & Location Finder)
Recharging AHLAN
You can recharge your Ahlan Card at
- Empost offices across UAE
- Etisalat Payment Machines in malls and Etisalat buildings
- Etisalat Online Services: Log on to www.etisalat.ae/online and recharge by using your credit card
Charges
(AED) Details Subscription Charges 60 Usage Charges 0.50 / min Local Call (all times) Usage Charges 2.50 / min International Call (all times) Usage Charges 0.30 / SMS Local SMS Usage Charges 0.90 / SMS International SMS Usage Charges 0.45 / MMS of 50 KB Local MMS Usage Charges 1.80 / MMS of 50 KB International MMS Usage Charges 0.75 / min Local Video Call Usage Charges 3.50 / min International video call Usage Charges 0.02 / KB High Speed Mobile Internet Access
Note: Transfer of subscription to another person’s name is not allowed and the validity is only for 90 days.
Tips for making calls using Ahlan prepaid package
Local call To a land line number in the UAE (e.g. Abu Dhabi): Dial; 0 + Area Code + Telephone Number For example: 02 XXXXXXX
To a mobile number belonging to the UAE:
Dial; 0 + Operator Code (50 for Etisalat) + Mobile Number For example: 050 XXXXXXX
International Calls Dial; 00 Country Code + Operator Code (land/mobile) + Telephone Number. For example: + 966 56 XXXXXXX for dialing mobile number in Saudi Arabia.
Deactivation
You will enter in a grace period of 30 days during which you will only be able to receive calls .Then your number will be deactivated .You can change to Wasel in between .For any queries, you can contact the Customer support number 101.
Etisalat Useful Numbers
Enquiries 24/7 Tel: 101 (Etisalat customers) Tel: 800 101 (non-Etisalat customers) Enquiries from Outside the UAE 24/7 Tel: +971 400 4101
Fault reporting ` Tel: 171 Directory enquiries Tel: 181 Customer Support Tel: 101
Contact Address
Emirates Telecommunications Corporation – Etisalat Postal Address: PO Box 1150, Dubai Tel: 04 222 8111 e-mail help@etisalat.ae Website http://www.etisalat.ae/index.jsp
DU
DU is another telecommunications company which has targeted visitors to UAE.They offer hassle free and cost efficient services along with their package Visitor Mobile Line service.
Joining /Initial Subscription
The joining fee include AED 49 along with AED 20 for free renewal. You can get one at any of the DU shops or authorized dealers across the UAE, Marhaba Counters at the Dubai Airport and UAE Exchange outlets. Du shop list http://www.du.ae/en/about/dushop
Documents required
Original and a copy of one of the following:
- Passport and valid visa
- Driving license
- UAE Work permit/Labor card
Validity
The validity period is 90 days from the date of the first call .You will get a grace period of 275 days out of which the first 30 days you can receive calls and SMS.
Features
- Pay by the second
- Me & Mine International
- International Roaming
- Me & Mine National
- Call Management
- Mobile payments
- SMS bundles
- My World –To catch up on latest news
- Next generation mobile services-Video mail
- Data bundles-to stay connected while traveling
Charges
Calls to all national mobiles and landlines 1.0 fils/ second National Video calls 1.0 fils/ second International Video calls 7.0 fils/second National SMS 18 fils/SMS International SMS 60 fils/SMS Multimedia Messages (MMS) to national mobiles 45 fils/MMS (50kb) Multimedia Messages (MMS) to international mobiles 180 fils/MMS (50kb) National Data Usage (WAP / GPRS / EDGE / 3G) 1 fils/ KB
There is no activation fee for voice calls, SMS, MMS and data services For all details on international call charges please call Customer Care on 155 Further details can be seen at: http://www.du.ae/en/mobile/plans/visitor-mobile-line-en/tariff-guide#tab-section
Du Useful Numbers
Customer Care Tel: 04 390 5555 / 04 369 9955 Fax: 04 390 5554 E-mail customer.care@du.ae Website http://www.du.ae/en/default Directory Enquiries Tel: 199 Mobile Services Tel: 155 from a Du mobile telephone Tel: 0555 678 155 from all other phones
For further information : http://www.du.ae/en/mobile/plans/visitor-mobile-line-en/benefits