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 Dubai.

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 number in Dubai 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 their offices or online however no direct debit is accepted.

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,

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

  • Du telecom                         www.du.ae
  • Etisalat                                www.etisalat.ae

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 expats subscribe to a satellite network, these are billed monthly through du or Etisalat. Various packages are available to suit your needs and those of your family. The joint operation between showtime and orbit offers an excellent cross section of popular dramas, documentaries and live sport.!

RADIO

English speaking Channels
  • Channel 4 FM (104.8FM)
  • Coast FM (106.5FM)
  • Dubai Eye (103.8FM)      – business breakfast with Malcolm and Brandy
  • Dubai FM (92.0FM)          – Catboy & Geordie bird entertain on the school run…
  • Radio 1FM (100.5FM)
  • Radio 2FM (99.3FM) 

 

 Programmes broadcast  in Arabic, French, Russian and Farsi also.

NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES

There are several glossy lifestyle magazines available in Dubai

  • 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