Telecommunication

Telecommunication Sector

The Telecommunications Sector at the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is responsible for regulating and developing the telecommunications market in the United Arab Emirates through an integrated regulatory framework designed to address technological developments and enhance market efficiency and sustainability. The Sector plays a key role in enabling advanced and reliable digital infrastructure that supports the continuity of critical services and strengthens the country’s competitiveness regionally and globally in the telecommunications and information technology sector. It also contributes to enabling an integrated telecommunications ecosystem that forms the foundation for vital sectors in the UAE by supporting the deployment of advanced technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), and satellite services.
Through its strategic directions, the Sector enhances the country’s readiness to accommodate future developments in telecommunications and reinforces its position as a global hub for innovation in advanced technologies.

Type Approval System

The Type Approval System at the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is an integrated regulatory framework aimed at ensuring that telecommunications equipment complies with approved technical standards before being marketed or used in the United Arab Emirates. It outlines the requirements and procedures for registering and approving equipment and provides access to approved devices, enhancing transparency and supporting suppliers' and manufacturers' compliance with regulatory requirements.

The system includes rigorous evaluation processes to verify the safety and performance of devices and to ensure they do not negatively affect telecommunications networks or users, including minimizing interference and ensuring safe and reliable use. It also contributes to regulating the entry of equipment into the market and supports the availability of high-quality devices that align with technological developments, enhancing the efficiency of digital infrastructure and protecting the interests of users and the sector as a whole.

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Consumer Protection Regulations

The regulatory and legislative framework of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) constitutes a comprehensive system governing the telecommunications sector in the United Arab Emirates. It is based on the Federal Decree-Law No. (3) Of 2003 regarding the regulation of the telecommunications sector and its amendments, and includes an integrated set of policies, regulations, and decisions that support the sector’s development and enhance its flexibility. This framework aims to regulate the market efficiently, ensure service quality and continuity, protect user rights, and promote a fair and transparent competitive environment, in addition to supporting innovation and investment in modern technologies. It also contributes to achieving a balance between regulatory requirements and sector growth, enhancing sustainability and reinforcing the UAE’s position as an advanced hub in telecommunications and digital transformation.

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National Frequency Plan

The National Frequency Plan of the United Arab Emirates is the national regulatory reference document that defines the national allocation and use of the radio frequency spectrum, ensuring the efficient and orderly use of this vital resource. The Plan is based on the Radio Regulations issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in accordance with the requirements of Federal Decree-Law No. (3) of 2003, which mandates its alignment with those Regulations.

In light of the periodic updates to the ITU Radio Regulations adopted through the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) regularly reviews and updates the National Frequency Plan to reflect the latest internationally approved decisions and frequency allocations. The update process covers the National Table of Frequency Allocations, as well as the national and international footnotes, contributing to more effective spectrum management, supporting the introduction of modern wireless technologies and services, ensuring international alignment, and protecting current and future national spectrum use.

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Role of the Telecommunication Sector

The Telecommunications Sector regulates the telecommunications market and oversees licensed entities, including licensing, regulatory supervision, and ensuring compliance with approved frameworks, policies, and standards, in a way that promotes fair competition and ensures market efficiency and sustainability. The Sector also manages critical national telecommunications resources, including spectrum, numbering resources, satellite services, and broadcasting, through planning, allocation, monitoring, and regional and international coordination, ensuring optimal utilization and supporting sector continuity and future growth. In addition, the Sector enables and develops telecommunications infrastructure, ensures network readiness and continuity, and enhances service quality and nationwide coverage, including business continuity and emergency preparedness, ensuring reliable services under all conditions. Within the scope of user protection, the Sector oversees the enhancement of consumer rights, increases transparency, and improves customer experience, contributing to building trust in telecommunications services. It also supports the adoption of emerging technologies by setting technical standards, regulating the certification of telecommunications equipment and modern technologies, and enhancing innovation and future readiness in line with global digital transformation trends.

Departments

Technology Development Affairs Department

Regulatory Affairs Department

Spectrum Management Department

Key Projects

Infrastructure and Advanced Technologies

Development of Fixed Stations of the Spectrum Monitoring System in the UAE
Developing and upgrading the fixed stations of the radio frequency spectrum monitoring system, enhancing their technical readiness and improving their operational efficiency. The project also focuses on enabling these stations to handle emerging technologies and keep pace with rapid developments in the telecommunications field. All stations have been fully upgraded, supporting their ability to handle advanced technologies such as 5G networks.
Regulatory Sandbox Framework for Information and Communication Technology
Establishing an integrated regulatory framework that provides a controlled testing environment for companies and entrepreneurs to experiment with innovative solutions in the ICT sector. This framework enables the testing of new technologies and services within clear regulatory controls, contributing to accelerating innovation in an organized manner. The project also focuses on achieving a balance between supporting technological development and ensuring the protection of users’ rights, as well as enhancing competitiveness in the sector, thereby supporting the adoption of innovative solutions within a secure regulatory environment.
Telecommunications Networks Specifications Manual for Buildings
Preparation of a Telecommunications Networks Specifications Manual for Buildings to serve as a unified reference for the design and implementation of telecommunications infrastructure in all buildings and new projects across the UAE. The manual defines the technical standards and requirements necessary to ensure that buildings are equipped with advanced and future-ready telecommunications infrastructure, supporting the deployment of high-speed fiber optic networks and smart building applications. The manual has been developed in collaboration with the main licensed entities (Etisalat and du), in addition to government entities and relevant stakeholders.

Regulation and Future Planning

Spectrum Outlook Document
Updating and reviewing the Spectrum Outlook Document for the period 2026–2031, to identify the requirements of future technologies and enhance the readiness of regulatory frameworks and supporting infrastructure. The project resulted in the launch of a 6G roadmap, the development of an innovative regulatory framework for flying taxi frequencies, and the achievement of advanced global rankings for the UAE in related readiness indicators.
Consultancy Study to Enhance Spectrum Capabilities for Maritime Services
Evaluation of current legislation and procedures related to maritime services and their associated spectrum bands, contributing to meeting the current and future requirements of this vital sector. The study also includes providing recommendations based on international best practices, supported by a clear implementation roadmap. The study resulted in the launch of joint initiatives to simplify procedures and provide services within unified packages, in cooperation with the relevant entities.
Spectrum Regulatory Framework
Conducting a comprehensive review of the regulatory framework for spectrum and space services in the UAE, in line with the rapid developments in the space sector and wireless technologies. The project focuses on developing updated regulatory policies and regulations that support the adoption of new technologies and enhance the efficient use of the spectrum. This included updating space services policies, regulations related to earth stations, satellite network coordination guidelines, and issuing regulatory documents for modern wireless technologies.

Customer Experience and Consumer Protection

TDRA EYE Platform
The project aims to enable users of telecommunications services in the UAE to share their experiences with service providers and report any suspected practices or violations of their rights as consumers. The platform contributes to supporting TDRA’s efforts in collecting and analyzing feedback and reports received from users. It also helps in monitoring general trends related to service quality, supporting the necessary corrective actions, enhancing consumer protection, and improving the quality of services provided.
HESABATI Initiative
Enabling customers to view fixed and mobile phone numbers registered under their Emirates ID with telecommunications service providers in the UAE. The initiative enhances transparency and provides information to customers in a direct and easy manner. It also contributes to enabling them to track their data related to telecommunications services and supports their ability to manage this data effectively, thereby enhancing customer confidence in the services provided.
Telemarketing Calls Regulation
Developing a system and innovative mechanisms to regulate telemarketing calls in the UAE, contributing to the protection of individuals’ privacy and reducing unwanted calls. The project focuses on establishing clear controls to regulate marketing practices, monitoring violations, and imposing fines on non-compliant entities. It also enhances transparency and compliance with regulations and policies governing telemarketing, contributing to improving user experience.
Kashif – Caller ID Display Feature
Enabling users of telecommunications services in the UAE to identify incoming calls and verify their authenticity, contributing to reducing fraud and unwanted calls. The platform contributes to supporting TDRA’s efforts in enhancing consumer protection by providing information that helps users make appropriate decisions when receiving calls. It also contributes to raising user awareness and enhancing a more secure and reliable telecommunications environment, supporting the reduction of fraudulent practices and improving user experience.

Service Quality and Performance Efficiency

Benchmarking the Quality of Mobile Networks and Smart Device Services
Conducting a comprehensive benchmarking the quality of mobile network and smartphones services in the UAE, as part of TDRA’s role in maintaining the highest standards in the ICT sector. The project is based on implementing a large-scale benchmarking survey covering various regions of the UAE, aimed at evaluating coverage levels and the quality of services provided. The project contributes to supporting continuous improvement in mobile service quality and encourages compliance with best practices and approved standards in this field, enhancing user experience.
Assessment of the Level of Digitization of Telecommunications Services
Assessment of the level of digitization of telecommunications services provided through digital channels by licensed entities, as part of TDRA’s efforts to improve the unified customer experience. The project focuses on reassessing the current status of digital smart services provided, with the aim of achieving a comprehensive understanding of the current situation. The project also aims to provide recommendations that contribute to enhancing the level of digitization of telecommunications services and improving the quality of digital services provided to customers, contributing to the development of user experience.
Erteqa – Customer Service Centers Rating for Licensed Entities
Evaluation of customer service centers operators by measuring the quality of services provided to telecommunications consumers through these centers. The program focuses on rating the performance of service centers based on approved evaluation criteria, enabling comparison of service levels among operators. The program also includes publishing evaluation results to licensed entities and the public, enhancing transparency, encouraging performance improvement, and contributing to improving customer experience and service quality.

Transformational Projects

Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation Monitoring System
Establishing a system to measure levels of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation across the UAE as one of the transformational projects for 2025. The project aims to conduct a national survey to monitor radiation emitted from radio frequency transmission devices and ensure that it does not exceed safe limits to protect public health. The project includes launching the system, conducting more than 500 survey operations, targeting more than 1,000 sites by the end of 2026, and providing an interactive platform that allows the public to view radiation levels.
Business Continuity through Digital Twin for the Telecommunications Sector
Development of an interactive virtual model based on digital twin technology to simulate physical and digital assets and monitor the performance of business continuity operations in the telecommunications sector. The project is based on utilizing digital twin capabilities, including system integration and artificial intelligence technologies, to analyze accurate, real-time big data related to the digital and physical infrastructure of the telecommunications sector and supporting sectors. The model contributes to enabling decision-makers in relevant entities to plan and implement future scenarios that support business continuity and critical services in the telecommunications sector and mitigate the impact of strategic risks, enhancing sector readiness and sustainability.
Digital Fraud Hunter
Developing an advanced technical system based on artificial intelligence technologies to analyze images and screenshots, supporting the initial detection of fraudulent activities in the digital space. The project focuses on enhancing the capability to identify and analyze indicators of digital fraud efficiently, contributing to reducing potential risks. It also supports strengthening customer trust in digital services and contributes to providing a more secure and stable digital environment.
Packages and Services for Minors
Launching telecommunications packages and services designed for specific age groups, including children and minors, in cooperation with licensed operators. The project focuses on providing telecommunications services that enable regulated use of modern technologies such as smartwatches and wearable devices. It also contributes to regulating the use of technology by this group, protecting them, and encouraging safe and responsible interaction with digital services, supporting a safe digital environment for this segment.

Global Indicators and UAE Ranking

Telecommunications Sector Infrastructure Index

This index measures the level of development and penetration of the telecommunications sector infrastructure in the country, including fixed and mobile telecommunications networks, broadband services, international connectivity capacity, and the availability and quality of Internet services. The index reflects the country’s readiness to support digital transformation, deliver smart government services, and enhance an innovation- and advanced-technology-driven digital economy. The UAE advanced to 1st place globally in this index in 2024.

Telecommunications Sector Development Index

This index measures the overall level of development of the telecommunications sector in the country in terms of access to services, the extent of their usage, service quality, and the sector’s ability to support digital transformation and economic growth. The index reflects the effectiveness of regulatory policies and infrastructure investments, as well as the sector’s readiness to keep pace with global technological developments. The UAE ranked sixth globally in this index in 2025.

Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Coverage Rate

This indicator measures the percentage of households that have access to Internet connectivity through fiber optic networks directly to homes. It is a key indicator of the quality and sustainability of fixed telecommunications infrastructure. High levels in this indicator reflect the country’s ability to provide ultra-fast and reliable Internet speeds that support advanced digital applications and smart services. The UAE maintained first place globally in this indicator in 2024.

Certifications and Awards

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