Dubai, the stunning city in the United Arab Emirates, popular for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture, and a lively nightlife scene, has the world’s 10th-busiest city airport system. People travelling to Dubai – a frequent destination for many travelers – have faced problems when using their mobile devices there. The problems are due to the call costs becoming huge, or due to network problems.
Solutions to Mobile Sim Card Related Problems of Tourists
There is also news of tourists being given a free sim card upon arrival at Dubai airport. The traveller needs to be an adult, travelling on tourist visas or visa on arrival or on transit visas. GCC citizens can also avail this offer. The traveller can claim this free sim card at passport control desks in Dubai International Airport.
The pre-paid sim cards provide 3 Flexi-minutes of talk time and 20 MB of mobile data, which are valid for 3 days. Travellers can then top-up their package with three different packages, based on visit duration and usage requirements.
Recharge rates range from 25 AED to 110 AED. Travelers getting the tourist sim pack will have to dial *122# to activate the card.
There are many travelers who would prefer to buy a sim card themselves, for fixed talk time and data usage they require. For them too, there has been a complete solution to mobile-related problems of tourists in Dubai. A traveler to Dubai need not feel harassed using his or her phone anymore.
Where to buy Sim Card?
Purchasing UAE sim cards for tourists has been made easy in the UAE. Pay as you go sim cards can be easily bought at the very airport, offering multiple options, with activation of the account in a few hours. So sim cards are available round the clock, at airport arrivals in Dubai. The cards can also be purchased from authorized dealers such as WH Smith at the airport, and at Dubai Duty-Free.
Documents required for New SIM Card?
Documents are needed for buying a sim card in Dubai. Tourists need to produce their passport, with a valid UAE visa. This will be taken for a little while, for some paperwork.
Mobile-operating networks in UAE
There are primarily two mobile -operating networks in Dubai. They are:
1) Etisalat – Etisalat quality and coverage are better. Etisalat charges by the minute. It used to be expensive previously, but recently the network is offering discounts and deals to buyers. Packages can be bought at 10, 25, 50, or 75 AED per week. Postpaid plans can be selected too.
2) Du – Du is cheaper and they charge by the second. Affordable options are available at 35, 50, 100, or 150 AED per month. Postpaid plans are available too, but that is good option for those tourist who are going to stay for longer time.
Both networks Etisalat and Du offer visitor plans. You can buy a sim card for only top-up data, or you can buy packages for data, SMS and calls, in various combinations. The packages usually take a few hours to get activated.
Cards required for purchase
Amex is usually not accepted by retailers, due to their commission being hefty. So you will require a Visa or Mastercard to purchase sim cards at Dubai airport.
Using the mobile device for a tourist in Dubai has indeed, become so easy, hassle-free and economical. You only need to land at the airport and visit the nearest store there offering sim cards. The rest will be taken care of, and you will experience easy, smooth communication over your mobile in Dubai.