Register SIM card by July 16 or risk being cut off, say UAE phone operators

Both du and Etisalat have reminded customers that they need to register their mobile phone SIM cards. So far 95 per cent of customers have done so.

Customers queue for services at the Etisalat kiosk in Mall of the Emirates. Antonie Robertson / The National

ABU DHABI // Time is quickly running out for mobile phone users to register their Sim cards with Etisalat and du.

The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority set Wednesday next week as the deadline for all mobile owners to register Sim cards with the two service providers.

Those who do not register by the deadline face disconnection, Etisalat says.

“To avoid disconnection, Etisalat’s non-registered mobile customers are encouraged to visit any of Etisalat’s business centres and points of sale,” it said.

Etisalat office times for Ramadan are from 8am to 5pm on Sunday to Thursday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday.

Customers can visit Etisalat outlet in malls across the UAE,the company said.

They can also register online at etisalat.ae and du.ae.

To register, customers need to provide an original and valid Emirates ID, passport or GCC ID card.

Etisalat has registered 95 per cent of its mobile customers since the TRA launched its “My Number, My Identity” campaign in 2012.

Etisalat customers can ask about their registration status by calling the toll-free number 800121, or dialling *171# on their mobiles.

The campaign was launched to help curb misuse or misappropriation of Sim cards, and to prevent fraudulent and criminal use of mobile phones.