Which mobile carriers operate in the UAE?

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The United Arab Emirates hosts many mobile carriers with highly extended services to the needs of each resident, business, and tourist. Currently, three of the major mobile operators are serving the people in the UAE, namely Etisalat, du, and Virgin Mobile UAE.

1. Etisalat
It is the oldest and largest operator in the UAE, established UAE Phone Number Data in 1976. Always a government-owned company, Etisalat has always enjoyed strong presence-not just within the UAE but through the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. These range from pre- and postpaid mobile plans to high-speed 4G and 5G mobile networks, mobile data, international calling, and roaming options. It is also reputed for its superior customer service and coverage, even in remote areas.

2. du
Having launched operations in 2006, du becomes the UAE's second major telecom operator. The company is a subsidiary of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, or EITC in short. du offers competitive pricing, a wide array of prepaid and postpaid mobile plans, and services like mobile internet, calls, and international roaming. It has amassed, over the years, a large number of subscribers and is highly praised for coverage in urban areas, like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Moreover, the company provides 4G and 5G services, to keep up with modern day technological developments in the region.




3. Virgin Mobile UAE
Virgin Mobile UAE is an MVNO running on the network of du. It offers flexible digital-first mobile plans controlled by the app. It is well-known for its subscription plans, in which one can choose data, minutes, and even international call options per choice. It is most popular among the younger audience who are tech-savvy and use mobile phones more. Virgin Mobile UAE gained its popularity by being purely digital and with a self-service approach.
Other Providers
While Etisalat, du, and Virgin Mobile dominate the scene in the UAE's telecom sector, there has also been the emergence of smaller and niche players to offer specialized services. In any case, these three operators remain the principal players in the UAE mobile market. Aggregated, they offer a strong structure and state-of-the-art mobile technologies, such as 5G, which have positioned the UAE as one of the leading countries in mobile telecom innovation in the region.