TV & Communications

TELEPHONE

To download application forms and find out what you require for setting up a telephone – landline or mobile, internet account and viewing other services please visit 

Your choice of provider will largely depend on your location in Abu Dhabi.

The cost of a landline connection is 200 AED and a 70 AED quarterly rental charge. It will take 2/3 working days to be installed once your application is received. Your phone company will provide you with a standard handset, if you wish to upgrade from this you will find a large selection in any of the phone shops, electronic shops or larger hypermarkets.

A mobile phone number will cost 320 AED and you will receive your SIM card immediately when you submit your application. All popular mobile phone brands are available in any phone shop or in the larger hypermarkets.

It is possible to have a pre paid or post paid account. Prepaid top ups are available from most convenience stores. Post paid operates on a monthly billing system which can be physically paid at the providers offices or online however no direct debit is accepted. Only residency visa holders can avail of the monthly billing option.

INTERNET

  • ISDN

Signing up for an ISDN account costs 200AED, (Phone has to be in your own name)
Quarterly service charge 100AED,
Surf at 128k = 3.6 AED/min 
64k = 1.8 AED/min

  • ADSL

Signing up for an ADSL account costs 200AED,
Modem purchase 375AED,
Flat rate /month  (home) 250AED, (Business) 350-2000AED,

Bills can be checked on line www.telecom.dic.ae
Du telecom                        
Etisalat                                 

Bill payment can be carried out on line or by visiting any one of your chosen provider’s offices. 

TELEVISION

There are several free local channels - City One broadcasting a selection of UK/USA programmes, City 7 offering a mix of local produced news and lifestyle shows along with some UK / US produced chat / lifestyle shows.

However, most expatriates subscribe to a satellite network; these are billed monthly through Du or Etisalat. Each provider will offer various packages have a close look to see what suits your needs best, do you require children’s channels or not…. Do you require live football 24/7….. ? Or not !!!!

RADIO

English speaking Channels

  • Channel 4 FM (104.8FM)
  • Coast FM (106.5FM)
  • Dubai Eye (103.8FM)     
  • Radio 1FM (100.5FM)
  • Radio 2FM (99.3FM)

There are a good selection of programmes in Arabic, French, Russian and Farsi also.

NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES

There are several glossy lifestyle magazines available in the UAE.

  • Emirates Woman - Monthly magazine with many fashion features, beauty and local news.
  • Emirates Home - Interior ideas and home related issues
  • Hello - Society magazine of what’s on and who’s who in Dubai
  • Ahlan - Articles on Celebrity lifestyles, - who’s out on the town
  • OK Middle East - Middle East society magazine
  • Arabian Business - Middle East business magazine
  • Gulf Marketing Review - Middle East marketing publication
  • Time Out Dubai - Information on weekly events 
  • What’s On Dubai - as it suggests, covers all Dubai events