The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has renewed the Public Telecommunications Licences of Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC (e&) and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (du) for another 20 years.
The renewed licences, effective from 9 August 2026 to 8 August 2046, replaces the licences issued in 2006. TDRA said the renewal provides a long-term regulatory framework for investment in digital infrastructure and future technologies.
The new licences include obligations covering network resilience, backup capacity, international connectivity, quality of service, interconnection and access, national roaming, universal service, subscriber protection and the prevention of anti-competitive practices.
TDRA said operators will be required to geographically diversify international connectivity through multiple terrestrial systems and submarine cables, remove single points of failure, regularly test disaster recovery mechanisms, and develop national talent capable of operating and restoring networks during exceptional circumstances.
“The infrastructure of the national economy relies on telecommunications networks across all vital sectors, including government services, financial services, healthcare, education, energy, transport, industry and digital commerce. The next phase takes on added importance in light of the Digital Economy Strategy, which aims to double the digital economy’s contribution to GDP from 9.7% in 2022 to 19.4% over the next ten years,” said H.E. Talal Belhoul, Chairman of TDRA.
H.E. Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of TDRA, said: “The renewal of the two licences is a strategic decision that reflects the UAE’s confidence in a sector that has proven to be one of the pillars of national development. Together, TDRA and the licensees have built one of the world’s most advanced and future-ready digital infrastructures.
“Today, we are providing the sector with a long-term framework that lays the foundation for a new phase in which connectivity evolves into intelligence, and digital infrastructure becomes a national platform for innovation and sustainable growth.”
TDRA said it will continue to monitor compliance with licence conditions, protect subscriber rights and maintain a fair and competitive telecom market.
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