Dubai internet users report cuts to services

Du issues statement saying technical issue has now been fixed

Telecoms provider Du reported an outage across its network on Saturday. Philip Cheung / The National

Internet users across Dubai have reported disruptions to connectivity.

One user told The National that their internet service was down from around midday until 1pm on Saturday.

Zohaib, who lives in Damac Hills, said his internet was off for around an hour on Saturday. “Lots of people were having the same issues in this area, according to the online community forums I’m on.”

"This just shows how essential the internet is in today’s world—when it’s down, it feels like the whole world stops," Gaurav Narchal, a Dubai resident who switched from his internet connection to mobile data during the period of interruption, told The National.

The term “Du internet Services Disrupted in UAE” was trending on the social media platform X at that time.

In a statement on X posted at 1.20pm, the internet provider said a “technical issue” had been fixed.

Customers said phone lines for Du were not being answered and other online support services were also down. The National has reached out to Du for comment.

According to online internet monitor Downdetector, there were 7,440 reports of Du internet cuts, with 70 per cent of customers reporting issues with home internet, 8 per cent reporting no mobile phone signal and 22 per cent with a complete cut of all services.

Some Etisalat customers also reported disruption to internet services on Saturday. According to Downdetector -between 11.47am and 1.17pm, there were 213 customers affected, 69 per cent who had issues with home internet, 27 per cent with their mobile signal and four per cent unable to stream video content.