Everyone has experienced running out of mobile data at the most inconvenient times. Whether you’re in the middle of navigating a map or a work-related video call, having to pay to immediately recharge your data plan is not ideal.
Fortunately, the UAE is considered to have comparatively better ways of obtaining free data. While you will not find obscure methods or hidden codes, there are real promotional offers by e& (formerly Etisalat), du, and Virgin Mobile. In addition to that, there is freely available Wi-Fi throughout the country.
This article provides details on the methods to avail free data offers by the UAE mobile network operators and the terms and conditions, if any, associated with them.
Is Free Data in UAE Really Free?
Yes, it is free. However, there may be terms and conditions for availing the offer. Mobile network operators in UAE may provide free data as part of a promotional offer or in conjunction with a new mobile plan.
A few things to know before we continue. Anything alluring with “unlimited free data” likely if not definitely is a hoax. Both telecoms, e& and du, have alerted customers on SMS and social platforms on such scams. They remind customers to be cautious of third-party messages that are not sent via official or legitimate channels.
The Biggest Free Data Offer of the Year
The period from late November to mid-December is worth checking. Traditionally during the UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) celebrations, telecoms e& and du offer customers free local data. The quantity over the years has increased from 50GB to 54GB.
The format of the offer has been:
- It is first made available towards the beginning of December.
- The offer is for local data.
- Customers are required to load or claim the data via the app.
- The offer is extending to customers other than Emiratis and to customers on prepaid plans.
Most recently during the same offer by du, the data was loaded automatically to postpaid accounts. Elsewhere, e& asked customers to load the offer via its app and confirmed the loading via SMS.
It’s almost National Day, so it’s time to make sure your apps are up to date and your profile info is correct.
How to Get the Credit on e&
- Open the e& UAE app and login.
- Look for the National Day or Eid Al Etihad offer. It will be on the Home page or in Promotions.
- Once you see the offer, activate and accept the terms and conditions.
- You will receive a confirmation SMS. Once you get the SMS, check your usage in the e& app.
How to Get It on du
- Open the du app.
- Find the offer for “National Day Free Data” in Special Offers or Buy Bundle.
- Once you find the offer, click Redeem.
- You will receive a confirmation SMS.
Postpaid customers will get the offer automatically. Prepaid customers may need to be on a Yearly Plan to be eligible.
Free Data Offers on e&
There is other free data available on e& beyond National Day.
Free Tourist eSIM
e& gives 10GB Tourist eSIM when you land in UAE. You can activate it immediately after you clear Customs. The eSIM is helpful if you need to look up directions or book a taxi.
After your Tourist Visa expires, you can get a Resident Visa and eSIM.
Free Wi-Fi hours
In addition to mobile data, some e& postpaid plans provide access to free Wi-Fi hours. For example, the Freedom plan offers 10 hours of free Wi-Fi every month. Wi-Fi hours, as the name suggests, provide access to Wi-Fi only. However, these hours can be useful to prevent mobile data usage. The e& Wi-Fi hotspots are located in many shopping malls across the UAE.
Smiles Rewards
Smiles by e& is a loyalty program that awards points to customers based on their purchases. Customers can redeem their points and offers for prizes from time to time.
Free data offers from du
DU has similar offers and provides a mobile app from which customers can avail data offers.
Free national data
Every year, DU provides customers with free 1 GB national data in celebration of UAE National Day (1-7 December). Postpaid customers receive the data automatically, while prepaid customers need to activate the offer. Prepaid customers should consider activating this offer only if they also plan to activate a one-year prepaid plan.
Free tourist eSIM
DU also offers a free 10 GB tourist eSIM. The free data is valid for 24 hours.
Special Offers in the App
This is the part people tend to forget. Open the Du app and scroll to Special Offers. Mobile Operators publish special promotions on this page. Examples include extra data on a plan, or a bundle with a short validity. Keep in mind, these offers are only available for a short period of time.
Free Data Offers from Virgin Mobile UAE
Virgin Mobile is app based and offers flexible and rewarding plans. The company has also offered international holidays as part of their promotional giveaway.
Plans with bonus data
Virgin Mobile promotes their service by offering bonus data on plans from time to time. Keep in mind, the plan you are interested in purchasing has promotional data offers as well. For example, if you are interested in purchasing a 12 month plan, see if there is a promotion going on where they are offering double the data.
Data rolling and sharing
If you do not use all the data on your plan, the data will roll over to the next month. Also, you can share your data with other people on Virgin Mobile.
Cashback rewards
If you purchase a plan or booster, you will receive rewards. You can redeem your rewards on your next plan.
Tourist eSIMs
While these eSIMs are not completely free, there are plans offered by Virgin Mobile where you get a large data cap for a month. These eSIMs are convenient since you can purchase and activate them immediately.
Free Public WiFi
Free public WiFi is always an option for dataless internet. It doesn’t impact your mobile data plan and is accessible almost everywhere.
du’s WiFi UAE
One of the largest telecom providers in the UAE, du offers public WiFi in Dubai at various locations including metro stations and transit buses and ferries. Look for the network “@WiFi UAE from du” and select the zero-rating option. You’ll be prompted to enter your mobile phone number and upon reception of a one-time password, you’ll have internet access.
Due to limits on each access point, you’ll only have about an hour of access before you’re disconnected and presented with an advertisement. However, some transit vehicles like taxis have a daily access limit.
UAE Wi-Fi by e&
e& (formerly Etisalat) provides public WiFi at hundreds of locations including shopping malls and beaches. Free WiFi is also available at bus and ferry transit stations in Dubai, provided by e& and the RTA.
Other Locations
Major shopping malls and airports also provide public WiFi.
Public Wi-Fi and Security
While publicly available WiFi can be very convenient, it can pose a risk to your personal security. It’s always prudent to confirm with a staff member which network is legitimate. Additionally, it’s recommended that you don’t access personal or financial accounts over publicly available Wi-Fi.
- Turn off auto-connect to avoid connecting to unauthorized networks.
- Always use a VPN for added security.
Disciplined Data Usage
Data is precious and knowing how to effectively manage it can help you stretch your data further.
- Always make sure you’re offline first. Save all the media you plan to use later (playlists and shows) and maps, and load them before you leave the house.
- Turn off background data. Many apps use data unnecessarily and increase your usage.
- Set data limits. Your phone can alert you before you reach your data limit.
- Decrease media quality. Watching videos in high quality can drain your data quickly.
- Use data warning and usage limits. Some service providers allow you to view your data usage and limits.
Finding and using free Wi-Fi can help you save data. If you take the Dubai Metro, you can use free Wi-Fi and save your data for other things.
- ignorant of the terms and conditions.
- Some offers have time constraints. Make sure you activate the offers within the time constraints.
- Manual activation is required.
- Unfavorable conditions. Not all offers are valid for all plans and lines.
- Using a data plan outside the UAE.
- Follow the links provided to activate offers.
Another small one: free data has its limitations. Bonuses are typically valid for a period of 7 days. It is worthwhile to confirm the validity of the bonus after it has been credited.
Which option do you prefer?
It is advisable to take advantage of offers most relevant to your situation.
- You are a postpaid customer: Expect offers from your service provider during National Day and check your app for automatic bonus offers.
- You are a prepaid customer: Look out for annual offers and check if free data is provided upon subscription to a plan.
- You are a tourist: Consider a free Tourist eSIM from either e& or du.
- You need to connecting to the internet for a short period of time: Rely on free public Wi-Fi, however, be cautious when transmitting personal information.
- You have options. Take advantage of data sharing, rollover, and rewards with Virgin Mobile.
Conclusion
Free data in UAE is available, though unlike other regions it is not ubiquitous. Expect it during select times of the year (i.e. 1 December during National Day), with specific eSIM providers, and through third-party apps offered by UAE telecom companies. You will also find it during occasional promotions, and at public hotspots.
Be on the lookout for offers and perks from your service provider. They change all the time and provide value in the form of free data. Avoiding scams is also a good way to protect your privacy and stay safe online.
You may find some of the information provided here out-of-date. Make sure to double check offers listed in the e&, du or Virgin Mobile company apps before you act on them.
