TDRA renews UAE telecom licences for e& and du until 2046

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has renewed the public telecommunications licences for Emirates Telecommunications Group (e&) and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) for a period of 20 years. The regulatory decision, announced on Friday, 14 August, extends the operational mandates for the UAE’s two primary service providers until 2046. Licence extension details The renewal follows the expiration of the original long-term licences issued during the liberalisation of the UAE telecommunications sector. Under the terms of the extension, both e& and du retain the legal authority to provide mobile, fixed-line, and internet services across the country. The TDRA confirmed that the move is intended to ensure the continuity of digital infrastructure development and maintain stable market competition. \n\nThe timing of the announcement is driven by the scheduled conclusion of the previous licensing period, requiring a formal regulatory update to authorize nationwide operations for the next two decades. This renewal provides the legal certainty necessary for both companies to proceed with multi-billion dirham investments in 5G-Advanced and 6G research and development. Impact on UAE digital economy This decision affects millions of residential and business subscribers who rely on the dual-operator framework for connectivity. For investors, the 20-year term provides a stable regulatory horizon for the two publicly traded…