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DEWA, broadband, and phone contracts

Setting up utilities in Dubai is mostly straightforward, but the order of operations matters — and there are a few decisions worth getting right from the start.

DEWA — electricity and water

DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) is the sole provider for electricity and water in Dubai. To activate your account you'll need your Ejari certificate, Emirates ID, and passport. Apply online through the DEWA app or website. There's a refundable security deposit of AED 2,000 for apartments or AED 4,000 for villas, plus a AED 110 connection fee.

Monthly bills vary by apartment size and season. Air conditioning is the main driver — Dubai summers (June–September) push bills noticeably higher. Budget AED 400–600/month for a 1-bed apartment, more in summer months. Note that a 5% municipality fee is added to all DEWA bills.

Home broadband

There are two providers in Dubai: du and Etisalat (now branded as e&). Most buildings are wired for one provider only — check with your landlord before signing up as you may not have a choice. Both offer similar packages from around AED 299/month for a basic plan up to AED 799/month for 1 Gbps.

Installation is typically free but requires a 12-month commitment. Packages usually include a TV box and landline as standard.

Phone contracts — what to know

Both du and Etisalat offer postpaid contracts starting around AED 100/month for a basic data plan. Postpaid requires your Emirates ID. If you're waiting for your Emirates ID, a prepaid SIM using just your passport gets you a working UAE number immediately — which you'll need for bank verification, WhatsApp, and government apps.

Virgin Mobile is worth considering for postpaid contracts — they offer competitive annual plans with meaningful discounts compared to standard monthly pricing. If you're setting up a plan for the first time, it's worth comparing their annual rates against the main providers.

On the question of where to sign up: mall-based stands typically offer better deals than airport kiosks, which tend to target tourists on shorter stays. If you can wait until you've settled in to compare options, you'll likely get a better deal.

Important — VoIP calls: Standard VoIP audio calls (WhatsApp audio, Skype) are restricted in the UAE. WhatsApp video calls work. For audio-only international calls, the du and Etisalat apps have licensed calling features, or a separate app called Botim (available through the providers) offers international calling for a monthly fee. This surprises many newcomers.

The setup order

  1. Prepaid SIM — on arrival, passport only needed
  2. Tenancy contract — once you've found a place
  3. Ejari registration — needs tenancy contract and Emirates ID
  4. DEWA activation — needs Ejari
  5. Home broadband — needs Emirates ID and tenancy
  6. Postpaid phone contract — needs Emirates ID

Check before you sign: Ask your landlord whether the building uses du or Etisalat before committing to a tenancy. If you have a strong preference, it's worth knowing before you're locked in.