UAE Phone Codes & Mobile Carrier Directory: e& (Etisalat), du & TDRA Regulations
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) boasts one of the world's highest smartphone penetration rates, exceeding 96%. Whether communicating with businesses in Dubai's financial centers, government departments in Abu Dhabi, or service providers in Sharjah, understanding the UAE's national numbering plan and cellular prefix allocations is vital.
The telecommunications sector in the UAE is overseen by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), which establishes numbering guidelines and strict anti-spam regulations for unsolicited marketing calls.
1. UAE Calling Code & Number Format Standards
The UAE operates under the international ITU-T dialing framework:
- International Country Code:
+971 - Mobile Number Length: 9 digits (excluding the domestic trunk prefix
0) - Standard International Mobile Format:
+971 5X XXX XXXX - Domestic Dialing:
05X XXX XXXX(10 digits total)
2. Mobile Network Operator Prefix Allocations: e& vs. du
The UAE mobile market is operated by two licensed telecommunications giants: e& (formerly Emirates Telecommunications Corporation / Etisalat) and du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company):
| Operator / Brand | Allocated Prefixes | Digital Brands | Support Hotline |
|---|---|---|---|
| e& (Etisalat UAE) | 050, 054, 056 |
Swyp | 101 (Consumer) / 800 5800 (Business) |
| du (Emirates Integrated Telecom) | 052, 055, 058 |
Virgin Mobile UAE | 155 (Consumer) / 800 188 (Business) |
Virgin Mobile UAE: Operates as a fully digital mobile brand under du's telecommunications license, utilizing primarily the 058 prefix.
3. Fixed-Line Landline Codes Across the 7 Emirates
Landline telephone numbers across the United Arab Emirates are structured by emirate geographic boundaries:
- 02: Abu Dhabi Emirate (Abu Dhabi Capital, Al Ain, Al Dhafra / Western Region).
- 04: Dubai Emirate.
- 06: Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain.
- 07: Ras Al Khaimah (RAK).
- 09: Fujairah and Khor Fakkan.
+971 4 XXX XXXX.
4. TDRA Regulations on Cold Calls & Spam Protection
The UAE has enacted world-leading regulatory protections against nuisance phone calls:
- DNCR (Do Not Call Registry): UAE residents can register their mobile numbers to block unsolicited marketing calls by sending an SMS with the text
DNCRto 1012. - Permitted Calling Hours: Telemarketing calls are strictly forbidden before 9:00 AM and after 6:00 PM.
- Calling Frequency Limits: Companies are legally prohibited from calling a consumer more than once per day if the consumer declines the initial offer.
- Sanctions for Violators: Financial fines reaching up to AED 150,000 and immediate revocation of commercial telecommunication licenses.
5. Identifying Unknown UAE Numbers & Scam Detection
If you receive a missed call or unsolicited WhatsApp message from a UAE number, protect yourself against courier phishing and fake bank security updates:
- Verify the caller on Number LookUp: Choose the UAE flag (
+971) and type the 9-digit number to inspect community tags and spam warnings. - Read our comprehensive analysis on GCC Phone Scams & Fraud Prevention.
- To report telemarketing violations, lodge a formal complaint with the TDRA online or contact Dubai Police eCrime.
If you prefer that your own contact number is not visible to public directory searches, use our 100% free Remove My Number delisting service.