Etisalat by e& eSIM — coverage, plans & network
United Arab Emirates
Key highlights
- Founded in 1976; the UAE's first and largest telecom operator
- Consumer brand renamed "etisalat by e&" after the group's February 2022 rebrand to e&
- Among the first operators worldwide to launch commercial 5G (May 2019)
- UAE mobile networks regularly top Ookla's Speedtest Global Index
- Headquartered in Abu Dhabi; the e& group spans the Middle East, Asia and Africa
About the operator
Etisalat — now etisalat by e& — is the UAE's original telecom operator, running one of the world's fastest mobile networks across all seven emirates. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, it was among the first operators worldwide to launch commercial 5G, in May 2019.
In February 2022 its parent, Emirates Telecommunications Group, rebranded as e&, and the UAE telecom business has operated as "etisalat by e&" since — the Etisalat name, stores and network all remain. At home it is the market leader ahead of du, and the UAE regularly tops Ookla's Speedtest Global Index for mobile internet, much of that on Etisalat's network. The wider e& group is also active in markets across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
For visitors, Etisalat's 4G and 5G blanket Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the highways between the emirates. Buying a local tourist SIM means an in-person stop at a kiosk or store with your passport; AviaeSIM's prepaid UAE travel eSIMs use the Etisalat network and install by QR code before you fly, so you land already connected.
- Founded
- 1976
- Headquarters
- United Arab Emirates
- Group
- e& (Emirates Telecommunications Group)
- Network
- 3G, 4G, 5G
Network & technology
Etisalat operates 3G, 4G/LTE and an extensive 5G network in the UAE; its legacy 2G service was retired in 2022. 5G covers effectively all populated areas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi and most other urban zones, with strong indoor coverage in malls, metro lines and airports, and 4G along the inter-emirate highways. The UAE's top-ranked mobile speeds in Ookla's global index reflect this density — though deep desert and remote mountain areas still fall back to 4G or 3G.
Reputation & market position
Etisalat is the UAE's incumbent and market leader, competing with du in a two-operator market, and is consistently ranked among the world's fastest mobile networks. It is positioned as a premium provider: network quality and 5G speeds earn strong independent recognition, while local plans — including tourist SIMs sold at airport kiosks — are priced noticeably higher than in most other countries.
Pros
- World-leading mobile speeds — the UAE regularly tops Ookla's global index
- Near-universal 5G across Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Excellent indoor coverage in malls, metro lines and airports
- Reliable 4G along inter-emirate highways
Cons
- Premium pricing — local plans and tourist SIMs are relatively expensive
- Tourist SIMs require an in-person passport registration at a kiosk or store
- Remote desert and mountain areas fall back to 4G or 3G
Available plans
Countries covered
Get your United Arab Emirates eSIM from AviaeSIM — instant QR activation, no roaming fees.
How to activate
- 1Choose your destination and a plan on the Etisalat by e& network
- 2Pay and receive your eSIM QR code by email
- 3Scan the QR code in your phone's settings to install it
- 4Turn on data roaming for the eSIM when you arrive
Frequently asked questions
Does Etisalat offer eSIM?
Yes. Etisalat by e& supports eSIM on its regular prepaid and postpaid plans — you can get one at its stores, with residents using an Emirates ID and visitors a passport, or convert an existing physical SIM. For a short visit, a prepaid AviaeSIM UAE travel eSIM on the Etisalat network installs by QR code before you arrive, with no store visit at all.
How do I get an Etisalat tourist eSIM?
Etisalat sells visitor lines at airport kiosks and its stores across the UAE; you register in person with your passport after landing, and airport queues can be long. If you would rather land connected, AviaeSIM's prepaid UAE eSIM uses the same Etisalat network, installs by QR code before your flight and needs no registration or kiosk visit.
Is Etisalat now called e&?
The parent group, Emirates Telecommunications Group, rebranded to e& in February 2022. In the UAE, the consumer telecom business kept the familiar name and operates as etisalat by e&, so the Etisalat brand, stores and network are unchanged. Coverage is exactly the same — it is this network that AviaeSIM's UAE travel eSIMs connect to.
Will an Etisalat-network eSIM work in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Etisalat runs one nationwide network across all seven emirates, so the same eSIM works in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and beyond, with 5G in the cities and 4G along the highways between them. An AviaeSIM UAE plan covers the whole country on a single eSIM — no need for separate plans per emirate.
Useful links
Other operators
Information updated: 2026-07