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.
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
