Best SIM card for Dubai, United Arab Emirates

abc

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a SIM card for use in Dubai, UAE.  I'm not too worried about the cost of making calls but I am looking for one where the cost of receiving incoming calls is either very low, or preferably free.  The main UK mobile networks are very expensive for receiving calls in the UAE.

The mobile phone number doesn't need to be a UK one, and on previous visits I have used Tellink roaming (which I think had a Belgium number) and Worldsim (which I think had an Isle of Man number).  Both of these were free for incoming calls in the UAE but they both seem to have changed their plans and now charge for this.

I know there are a couple of local networks in UAE, but I don't think you can get a SIM for these before you arrive.

Highland76

Just get a pre-paid local sim (DU or Etisalat) upon arrival at DXB airport - you can pick up a sim in 10 mins from any of the numerous shops in the airport. Du for example charge  AED 110 for 3.5gb data sim with 50 local/int'l (incl UK) minutes. When the inclusive minutes run out simply use whatsapp, skype, viber etc to call to/from the UAE mobile as 4G coverage is excellent in all parts of the Emirates (unless you plan to go off-road).
https://www.du.ae/personal/mobile/prepaid-plans/tourist-sim

redux

Highland76 said:

When the inclusive minutes run out simply use whatsapp, skype, viber etc to call to/from the UAE mobile as 4G coverage is excellent in all parts of the Emirates (unless you plan to go off-road).

Some countries block VoIP. UAE may have been one, and I don't know whether it still is.

This article from Nov 2019 suggests it might be, but they were considering lifting a ban on WhatsApp

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/06/uae-may-lift-ban-on-whatsapp-calls-head-of-cybersecurity-authority.html

Highland76

But plenty of free VPN apps around to get around any VOIP blocking, assuming the OP will be using a smartphone. 

abc

Highland76 said:

Just get a pre-paid local sim (DU or Etisalat) upon arrival at DXB airport - you can pick up a sim in 10 mins from any of the numerous shops in the airport. Du for example charge  AED 110 for 3.5gb data sim with 50 local/int'l (incl UK) minutes. When the inclusive minutes run out simply use whatsapp, skype, viber etc to call to/from the UAE mobile as 4G coverage is excellent in all parts of the Emirates (unless you plan to go off-road).
https://www.du.ae/personal/mobile/prepaid-plans/tourist-sim

Thank you for your suggestion.  I know I can get a free local sim on arrival from DU (https://www.du.ae/touristsim) but I would rather get a sim before I go so was hoping to find some other option.  It may be though that the only available option is to get a local sim on arrival if I don't want to pay to receive calls.  I'll not be making calls so call costs, included minutes or data aren't really too much of a concern.

Unless things have changed since I was last there unfortunately VOIPs (skype etc) are generally blocked in the UAE.  I have read that some people use VPNs to get round this however their legality in the UAE is questionable and I wouldn't want to do anything that may upset the authorities.

Highland76

But is it really a huge inconvenience to buy a sim upon arrival in DXB in exchange for not paying to receive calls? It takes no more than 10 mins from any of the numerous airport shops and once you've bought the local sim then ask your callers in UK to get a pre-paid calling card such as a Tesco calling card with rates of around 12p/m from UK to UAE mobiles. That's about as good as its going to get, otherwise expect to pay to receive calls in UAE with specialist  providers such as worldsim.com etc

abc

Highland76 said:

But is it really a huge inconvenience to buy a sim upon arrival in DXB in exchange for not paying to receive calls? It takes no more than 10 mins from any of the numerous airport shops and once you've bought the local sim then ask your callers in UK to get a pre-paid calling card such as a Tesco calling card with rates of around 12p/m from UK to UAE mobiles. That's about as good as its going to get, otherwise expect to pay to receive calls in UAE with specialist  providers such as worldsim.com etc

It is no inconvenience to get a sim card on arrival in DXB, and I wouldn't even need to take 10 minutes as the as the officer at passport control can give me a free sim card form Du (https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/dubai-tourists-to-be-given-free-sim-cards-on-arrival-1.875391).  If I needed to top up this sim can be topped up, including to the rate in your example.

Getting a sim in advance is not really for my convenience, it is more for the convenience of those who would be calling me so that they could have the number in advance and they could try calling and make sure it worked.etc.  The plan would be that they would call via a calling app or a calling card such as the one you suggest to keep the costs minimal.

The worldsim you suggested is one that I have used before.  It used to be free for incoming calls but is now 8p per minute which isn't too bad, certainly when compared against my normal UK mobile operator. 

I have found a couple of sim cards xxsim and onesimcard that don't seem to charge for incoming calls.  I'll have to weigh up whether the cost of buying these sims, top ups and expiry etc make it not worthwhile.

Highland76

abc said:

Getting a sim in advance is not really for my convenience, it is more for the convenience of those who would be calling me so that they could have the number in advance and they could try calling and make sure it worked.etc.  

But once you pick up the local sim, you simply send an email/sms to your contacts there and then at the airport informing your contacts of your new local number. Again, hardly a huge inconvenience...

abc

Highland76 said:

abc said:

Getting a sim in advance is not really for my convenience, it is more for the convenience of those who would be calling me so that they could have the number in advance and they could try calling and make sure it worked.etc.  

But once you pick up the local sim, you simply send an email/sms to your contacts there and then at the airport informing your contacts of your new local number. Again, hardly a huge inconvenience...

No it isn't a huge inconvenience for me but it may well be for an elderly relative who is not tech savvy.  That is why I would rather make sure they have everything set up in advance and to do that I will need a phone number before I go.