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How eSIM is revolutionising telecom services in the UAE

May 7, 2025

The emergence of eSIM technology marks an important evolution in the telecommunications sector. It provides a more flexible approach to global connectivity and comes at a time when the industry is moving away from traditional SIM cards.

eSIMs are helping set the stage for a new era in device management. It’s a technology that’s facilitating greater mobility coupled with improved user experiences. Its adoption in the UAE marks a transformative shift in the telecom sector, thus delivering unprecedented convenience.

The smart government initiatives in place in the UAE are leveraging eSIM technology to improve government interactions and streamline public services. Read on to learn more about how eSIM technology is revolutionising the telecom sector in the country!

Traditional Sim vs eSIM: a comparative analysis

An embedded SIM (eSIM) is a digital replacement of the physical SIM card. But unlike the traditional SIM card which you must insert into a device, this comes directly implanted into your hardware. It functions as a virtual SIM card allowing you to connect to different carriers in the UAE in a few taps.

Click here to check out the plans offered by the leading eSIM carrier in the UAE. Some of the benefits offered by an eSIM include:

● Easy to activate and manage

● It’s sustainable as it helps reduce plastic usage

● Allows you to switch carriers without ever changing cards

● It supports multiple profiles in a single device

A traditional SIM card, on the other hand, is a small removable card used in smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices. It enables these devices to connect to network operators by storing important information about the user’s subscription.

Its benefits include:

● Easy to switch between devices

● Universally supported by mobile carriers

● No technical expertise is needed to set up


Impact on mobile network operators in the UAE

The implementation of eSIMs has enabled mobile network operators (MNOs) to effectively cater to the Internet of Things revolution. It has done this by facilitating cost optimization, including new customer acquisition. Other ways eSIMs have impacted MNOs are as shown below.

Infrastructure investment

MNOs need to invest in network infrastructure, backend systems, and eSIM provisioning systems to support roaming eSIMs. This type of investment is needed to provide customers with reliable connectivity and ensure seamless integration of eSIM technology into their operations.

Mobile operators must additionally allocate adequate resources towards the development and maintenance of the infrastructure required to support eSIM deployment.

Partnerships and collaborations

Mobile operators are having to explore partnership and collaboration opportunities with device manufacturers, eSIM providers, and other stakeholders in the tech space. These collaborations have made it easier to expand service offerings and enhance customer experiences.

With the right partnerships, mobile operators can access new markets and easily adopt emerging technologies while mitigating any challenges that may arise.

eSIM and the Internet of Things (IoT) in the UAE The eSIM IoT framework in the UAE allows for enhanced connectivity and flexibility, enabling IoT devices to connect to mobile carriers seamlessly. The ongoing integration of eSIM technology is transforming various IoT verticals, encouraging new use cases. Examples of these include:

Smart cities

eSIM-enabled IoT gadgets play a crucial role in enabling seamless connectivity in smart cities, especially in areas such as public safety and traffic management. Such devices are able to switch between different operators ensuring efficient data transfer.

Healthcare

The local healthcare industry is leveraging eSIM technology for remote patient monitoring and telemedicine. eSIMs and the IoT enable reliable and secure data transfer, allowing physicians to monitor patients from remote locations.

Connected vehicles

Players in the auto industry have not been left behind and have embraced eSIM technology to enable reliable connectivity for fleet management systems. Other uses of this tech in this sector include autonomous vehicles and connected cars.

Consumer experiences: switching to eSIM in the UAE

When traveling to the UAE for business or pleasure, it’s important to ensure that you’re always connected to the internet. Buying an eSIM can help make this possible. If you’re using this technology for the first time, you may want to know about other people’s experiences.

The following is a look at what past travelers to the UAE have to say about eSIMs.

OkRevolution6451, a Redditor has this to say: “I have had great success with Holafly in Dubai, the UK, Turkey and Indonesia. I have even used its mobile hotspot to work whenever I’ve experienced Wi-Fi issues.”

T_ng23, another Reddit user, says: “Been using eSIMs for the past 4-5 years when I traveled to Dubai. I have had a great experience and never had any network issues to complain about.”

Regulatory landscape for eSIM adoption in the UAE

International telecom regulations help govern eSIM technology. These regulations are put in place to protect consumer data and guarantee secure network connectivity. But while this is the case, each territory may also put in place regulations to protect its citizens and visitors.

The UAE is among the territories that have done so and have put in place strict rules governing the sale and activation of eSIMs. Visitors to this territory are encouraged to purchase and activate their eSIMs before travel to avoid issues on arrival.

For those already in the country and who wish to switch to eSIMs, they’ll need to have an UAE PASS to proceed. The activation procedure will require you to scan and authenticate the pass before your eSIM can connect to local carriers. Make sure to have it with you to ensure a smooth process.

 

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