ℹ️
AI-assisted content notice: This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by the Tovi team. UAE rules and fees change — always verify with official sources before acting. Last reviewed: April 2026.
🪪 Expat lifeDaily Life✓ Verified Apr 2026

Best Etisalat vs du Home Internet 2026 UAE

Etisalat and du both offer fast home internet in 2026. See which provider gives better speeds, lower prices, and stronger coverage for expats in the UAE.

·5 min read·By the Tovi UAE Team
aerial photo of city highway surrounded by high-rise buildings
Photo by David Rodrigo on Unsplash

Plans and Prices in 2026

Etisalat lists three main home fibre plans. The entry plan gives 300 Mbps for 299 AED per month. The mid-tier plan offers 600 Mbps for 399 AED. The top plan reaches 1 Gbps for 499 AED. All prices include VAT and require a 12-month contract.

du matches the same speeds but prices its plans slightly lower. The 300 Mbps plan costs 279 AED. The 600 Mbps option is 379 AED. The 1 Gbps plan is 479 AED. Both providers charge a one-time 100 AED installation fee.

Speed and Coverage

Etisalat uses its own fibre network and reports 95 percent coverage across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Upload speeds stay close to download speeds on all plans. du operates on its own fibre plus some shared infrastructure. Coverage reaches 90 percent in major cities but drops in newer Dubai communities.

Both networks deliver consistent performance during peak evening hours. Independent tests in 2026 show average latency under 15 ms for gaming and video calls on either provider.

Bundles with TV and Mobile

Etisalat bundles its home internet with eLife TV and mobile lines. Adding two mobile lines and basic TV drops the internet price by 50 AED per month. The bundle also includes free installation and a free router upgrade.

du offers similar bundles. Pairing home internet with two mobile lines and du TV saves 40 AED monthly. Customers receive a free mesh Wi-Fi system when they commit to 24 months.

Customer Service and Reliability

Etisalat provides 24-hour support through app chat, phone, and service centres. Average complaint resolution time sits at three days. du offers the same channels and reports a two-day average resolution time in 2026 surveys.

Both providers guarantee 99 percent uptime. If service drops below this level, customers receive a 10 percent monthly credit after logging a ticket.

How to Switch Providers

Switching is straightforward. Book a new connection with the preferred provider. They coordinate the number port and send technicians on the same day. The old contract ends automatically once the new line activates. No early termination fee applies if you have already completed 12 months.

Before you decide, check coverage at your exact building on each provider's website or app. Some towers still have only one fibre option.

Ask Tovi for more

Tovi knows current 2026 UAE rules, fees, and processes. Ask anything. Ask Tovi free →

Got more UAE questions?

Tovi knows current 2026 UAE rules, fees, and processes. Ask anything — visas, banking, housing, schools. Ask Tovi free →

Frequently asked questions

Which provider is cheaper for 600 Mbps in 2026?

du charges 379 AED while Etisalat charges 399 AED for the same speed.

Can I keep my number when I switch internet?

Yes. Both providers handle number porting on the installation day at no extra cost.

Do both companies offer 1 Gbps plans?

Yes. Etisalat lists it at 499 AED and du at 479 AED per month.

Still have questions about daily life?

Ask Tovi — your free AI assistant for UAE life. Instant answers in 10+ languages, 24/7.

Ask Tovi about daily life