Can I use the roaming SIM permanently in the UAE?

Not indefinitely. The UAE regulator TDRA restricts permanent roaming, much like Saudi Arabia's CST. The roaming SIM is suitable for pilots, temporary deployments and assets in transit, but devices operating permanently in the UAE need local connectivity. For those cases we provision compliant local connectivity via eSIM (eUICC) profile download and local partner agreements, engineered case-by-case during onboarding. We explain how these restrictions work at /recursos/blog/roaming-permanente.

Can I pilot on roaming and switch to a local profile later?

Yes — that is the recommended flow. You validate device and coverage with the multi-network roaming SIM and, for the permanent rollout, we download a compliant local profile onto the same eUICC hardware (SGP.02/SGP.32). No physical SIM swap, no field technicians. Detail at /productos/esim-iot.

Which networks does the SIM use in the UAE?

Both national networks: e& (formerly Etisalat) and du. The SIM automatically selects whichever has the best signal at each location and switches if coverage degrades, with no intervention and no device reset.

Do you have form factors for extreme heat and coastal environments?

Yes. The industrial MFF2 (solderable) form factor is rated -40 °C to +105 °C and is the recommended choice for outdoor sites with 45+ °C summers, coastal humidity and dust, and it withstands vibration on machinery and in ports. We also supply triple-cut 2FF/3FF/4FF and eUICC eSIM.

Do you offer a private APN and static IP for the UAE?

Yes. We configure a dedicated APN with your CIDR range and an IPSec or WireGuard tunnel into your VPC or SCADA network, so telemetry never crosses the public Internet. Static IP is available as an add-on at /sim-iot-ip-fija. Technical detail at /sim-iot-apn-privado.

How do I manage a large SIM fleet from outside the UAE?

With the unified portal and REST API: batch provisioning via CSV or JSON, per-project or per-site labels, plan changes, pause and reactivation, usage alerts and HMAC-signed webhooks to integrate events into your systems. Documentation at /plataforma/api.

IoT SIM · United Arab Emirates

IoT SIM card for the UAE and Dubai: multi-network on e& and du

Multi-network SIM with access to both Emirati networks (e& — formerly Etisalat — and du) via data-roaming agreements, switching automatically to the strongest signal. Ideal for pilots, temporary deployments, assets transiting the GCC and logistics in Dubai's free zones. For devices operating permanently in the UAE, where the TDRA regulator restricts permanent roaming, we provision compliant local connectivity via eSIM (eUICC) and local partner agreements.

Why iot.cards for IoT in the UAE

Both Emirati networks on one SIM

Data-roaming agreements with e& (Etisalat) and du. The SIM connects to the strongest available signal in each emirate and switches automatically if coverage degrades, with no device reset. One SKU for all seven emirates instead of managing separate local contracts.

Honest about TDRA rules

The UAE regulator TDRA (formerly TRA) restricts permanent roaming: foreign SIMs cannot camp on UAE networks indefinitely. The multi-network roaming SIM is ideal for pilots, temporary projects and assets transiting the Gulf; for permanent fleets we provision compliant local connectivity via eSIM and local partners, engineered case-by-case during onboarding. We tell you this before you buy, not after.

Gulf corridors and 190+ countries

The same SIM works on 750+ networks across 190+ countries. Assets crossing from Dubai toward Saudi Arabia, Oman or Qatar keep their connectivity without a SIM swap or a new contract. One platform for the whole regional operation, billed in euros from Spain.

Industrial form factors for heat and salt air

Solderable MFF2 rated -40 °C to +105 °C for 45+ °C summers, coastal humidity and desert dust. Triple-cut 2FF/3FF/4FF and eUICC eSIM (SGP.02/SGP.32). Vibration-resistant for construction machinery, ports and oil and gas telemetry.

Bulk management via portal and API

Unified portal and REST API: batch provisioning, per-project or per-site labels, usage alerts and HMAC-signed webhooks. Integrate the SIM lifecycle into your systems from the first unit.

Engineering support in English and Spanish

Technical team in Seville, on a time band compatible with the Gulf working day (CET+2/+3). Onboarding with per-site coverage validation, APN configuration and a review of the regulatory route (roaming for the pilot, local connectivity for production). 24/7 support with SLA on enterprise plans.

Coverage in the UAE and the Gulf

In the UAE the SIM connects to e& (Etisalat) and du via data-roaming agreements and automatically picks the network with the best signal at each location, from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates. Outside the UAE, the same SIM works on 750+ networks in 190+ countries, including the Gulf corridors toward Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

Networks in the United Arab Emirates

e& (Etisalat)
du (EITC)

Available technologies

4G LTE5GLTE-M (Cat-M1)NB-IoT

The UAE has one of the world's densest 5G rollouts and 4G LTE covers virtually all inhabited territory. NB-IoT and LTE-M are deployed by both operators, with LPWAN availability varying by area: validate coverage per site during the pilot. For outdoor sites (construction, ports, solar plants such as MBR Solar Park, oil and gas telemetry in Abu Dhabi), use the industrial MFF2 form factor, rated -40 °C to +105 °C.

Capabilities for deploying in the Emirates

Beyond basic connectivity, the IoT SIM carries the layers a UAE deployment needs:

eUICC eSIM for permanent deployments

Local profiles downloadable OTA (SGP.02/SGP.32) on the same eUICC hardware. It is the TDRA-compliant route for devices operating permanently in the UAE: pilot on roaming, then switch to a local profile without swapping SIMs or sending technicians to the field.

See IoT eSIM

Private APN with IPSec/WireGuard

Dedicated APN with your CIDR range and an IPSec or WireGuard tunnel into your VPC or SCADA network. Your oil and gas, utilities or critical-infrastructure devices send telemetry without touching the public Internet.

See private APN

REST API for bulk management

Activate, pause, change plans and query usage via API. CSV or JSON batches, ICCID idempotency, usage alerts and HMAC-signed webhooks to integrate the SIM lifecycle into your systems.

API documentation

Pooled data across devices

A pooled data allowance shared across the whole fleet: heavy consumers offset light ones. Useful in mixed deployments of sensors, trackers and routers with uneven usage profiles.

See pooled plans

Typical use cases in the UAE

Logistics and container tracking in Jebel Ali (JAFZA) and Dubai South
Construction machinery telematics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Pharma and food cold chain through 45+ °C summers
EV charging points (DEWA EV Green Charger network)
Oil and gas telemetry in Abu Dhabi and industrial zones (Musaffah, KEZAD)
Smart city and connected buildings (Dubai, Sharjah)
Solar monitoring (MBR Solar Park and industrial self-consumption)
Last-mile fleets and shared vehicles
4G/5G video surveillance on construction sites and remote assets
Assets transiting the Gulf corridors (UAE ↔ KSA ↔ Oman)

Pricing and billing

Same pricing structure as the rest of the platform: you pay for the data you use, billed in euros from Spain, with no lock-in. Gulf-zone rates apply to the UAE.

From €0.005/MB depending on volume and zone. No per-SIM minimum fee. Ideal for pilots and small fleets.

Monthly packages shared across the whole fleet, with usage alerts and configurable cut-off.

Custom rates with SLA, dedicated private APN, 24/7 support and compliant local connectivity (eSIM + local partner) for permanent large-scale deployments in the UAE.

Exact per-zone, per-volume prices are confirmed in the proposal. Request a quote with your estimated usage profile and we send it within 24-48 business hours.

Frequently asked questions about IoT SIMs in the UAE

Can I use the roaming SIM permanently in the UAE?: Not indefinitely. The UAE regulator TDRA restricts permanent roaming, much like Saudi Arabia's CST. The roaming SIM is suitable for pilots, temporary deployments and assets in transit, but devices operating permanently in the UAE need local connectivity. For those cases we provision compliant local connectivity via eSIM (eUICC) profile download and local partner agreements, engineered case-by-case during onboarding. We explain how these restrictions work at /recursos/blog/roaming-permanente.
Can I pilot on roaming and switch to a local profile later?: Yes — that is the recommended flow. You validate device and coverage with the multi-network roaming SIM and, for the permanent rollout, we download a compliant local profile onto the same eUICC hardware (SGP.02/SGP.32). No physical SIM swap, no field technicians. Detail at /productos/esim-iot.
Which networks does the SIM use in the UAE?: Both national networks: e& (formerly Etisalat) and du. The SIM automatically selects whichever has the best signal at each location and switches if coverage degrades, with no intervention and no device reset.
Do you have form factors for extreme heat and coastal environments?: Yes. The industrial MFF2 (solderable) form factor is rated -40 °C to +105 °C and is the recommended choice for outdoor sites with 45+ °C summers, coastal humidity and dust, and it withstands vibration on machinery and in ports. We also supply triple-cut 2FF/3FF/4FF and eUICC eSIM.
Do you offer a private APN and static IP for the UAE?: Yes. We configure a dedicated APN with your CIDR range and an IPSec or WireGuard tunnel into your VPC or SCADA network, so telemetry never crosses the public Internet. Static IP is available as an add-on at /sim-iot-ip-fija. Technical detail at /sim-iot-apn-privado.
How do I manage a large SIM fleet from outside the UAE?: With the unified portal and REST API: batch provisioning via CSV or JSON, per-project or per-site labels, plan changes, pause and reactivation, usage alerts and HMAC-signed webhooks to integrate events into your systems. Documentation at /plataforma/api.

Request a test SIM for your UAE project

We ship the SIM Test Kit (€15 VAT included, 5 SIMs, 1 GB for 12 months, free shipping in Spain) so you can validate in your European lab before deploying to the UAE, or we set up a technical call to review your case, the applicable TDRA rules and the connectivity route (roaming for the pilot, eSIM local profile for production).

Buy SIM Test Kit

Test kit · 1 GB / 12 months · €15 · ships in 48 h

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