e-sim for AbuDhabi

Andrea15

I am new to e-sims and find the whole thing rather daunting (but I am sure it is easy).
Does anyone any experience?
It is needed for longer periods of time, so a paid plan is fine, as long as it works, allows to get in touch the UK and to stream (is there Netflix or similar in Abu Dhabi?)

PHK

I don’t know about any suitable local SIMs/eSIMs but (if you haven’t already) familiarise yourself with restrictions and laws on phone use in Abu Dhabi. Some things we do routinely are either blocked or illegal. 

For example, sharing a photo of someone breaches privacy laws. 

DoboChopSueyBar

Andrea15 said:

I am new to e-sims and find the whole thing rather daunting (but I am sure it is easy).
Does anyone any experience?
It is needed for longer periods of time, so a paid plan is fine, as long as it works, allows to get in touch the UK and to stream (is there Netflix or similar in Abu Dhabi?)

When you arrive at AUH airport, after immigration there are Du and Etisalat kiosks, both of which offer sim cards (incl esims) to visitors/tourists. But a word of warning: mobile plans are quite costly in UAE so use wifi whenever you can. Du and Etisalat coverage is pretty much the same in major cities, go for whichever meets your data/calls/budget needs.

If by any chance you're arriving at Dubai airport (DXB), then immigration officer will give you a free Du sim card/esim which has 1 GB data and lasts for 24hrs - it means you can top up or subscribe later, eg at hotel.

jbrassy

The following page has some good value esims for the UAE: https://uswitch.breezesim.com/products/esimg_ae_v2

As others have said, some Internet content may be blocked in Abu Dhabi. It may be worth downloading a decent VPN before you travel to unblock this content. Nord VPN and Express VPN are both good and usually offer free trials which you can take advantage of while you're there.

Andrea15

jbrassy said:

The following page has some good value esims for the UAE: https://uswitch.breezesim.com/products/esimg_ae_v2

As others have said, some Internet content may be blocked in Abu Dhabi. It may be worth downloading a decent VPN before you travel to unblock this content. Nord VPN and Express VPN are both good and usually offer free trials which you can take advantage of while you're there.

I never really understood this, but are VPNs legal or illegal, especially somewhere like the UAE?
Yes, internet where I am going to stay is included.
In that case, what should I be going for?
Consider that I'll be gone for just over a month now and subsequently for several months. 

DoboChopSueyBar

Strictly speaking using a VPN is illegal in UAE (other than using commercial ones for work purposes) but it seems nearly every man and his dog are using a VPN here to use whatsapp, skype voice/video calling etc. AFAIK no one has ever been prosecuted for installing a VPN app and using it to call Aunt Dorothy through whatsapp.

 That said, I found Google Voice and Botim work in UAE without having to use any VPN. 

Andrea15

Yes, I know botim and seems to work fine. 

jbrassy

I used a VPN in China and lived to tell the tale. I doubt the police are going to search your phone for a VPN, especially if you're a tourist.

Andrea15

I have just discovered that (some/most/all) esims last only for so long and they expire. So you pay, say, for 30 days and you cannot renew it, but need to buy a new one. Probably it is not a big deal, but I didn't know that was the case.

PHK

Are you sure?

Andrea15

So I've read, but I would be more than happy to be proven wrong.
Seemingly you buy one that lasts, say, 30 days, but if you stay for 31 you need to buy a new one, rather than putting extra money in the old one.