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Mobile Phone Prepaid Sims with Etisalat

23

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 July 2011 - 19:25

Hi. Could someone please explain the different prepaid mobile phone packages to me please? I will be moving to Abu Dhabi soon from Qatar and am a bit confused by the Etisalat mobile phone packages.

I heard that once you have your RP you can get cheaper rates on a different plan? Is this correct? Or can I just get the prepaid sim when I get there? Is there any difference? Should I wait until I have my RP?

I have looked at the Etisalat website, but am still confused. What is the difference between Wasel and Ahlan? Is one for visitors to the UAE only?

All I want is a mobile phone prepaid sim that I can top up online or with a scratchcard with cheap local rates and sms/mms. That's all.

I hope someone would be kind enough to clarify. Thank you!

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4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 06:34

having visitors here in a few weeks and they want to get a micro sim card... can they get that themselves with just showing a passport copy or will Etisalat need a visa also... you can get at the airport i believe. you have to prove you are not resident ie your passport once you are resident and have a visa then you can get the other etislat packages

23

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 10:12

Thanks busybee and dimple for the clarification. I live in Qatar at the moment and it seems sooooo much simpler here... :)

88

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 10:04

having visitors here in a few weeks and they want to get a micro sim card... can they get that themselves with just showing a passport copy or will Etisalat need a visa also...

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 05:49

with the prepay its the same charge for the wasel, if you want cheaper then you have to go for the normal sim card where by you pay for the account etc each month. there are only two companies here unlike the majority of other places where there are competition here it doesnt really happen, du and etislat are in fact the same company.

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 05:47

its simple if you have residence then you get wasel, if you dont then you get the visitors one, but that only last a little time, whereby a wasel is for a year, you have to show id either visa or driving licence etc to get a wasel card. you can get them from the etislat offices, or the little booths in a lot of the malls and then you buy credit in the shops to top up very easy.

28

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 26 July 2011 - 12:00

Hi Sissy:) No worries about the confusion; I have plenty confused myself with the way their phones and everything works over here! We've got the wasel sim card from etisalat; my husband had to show his passport since we don't have a residence visa yet. It is still expensive to make international calls; I think they charge for texts and incoming calls as well..am not sure. My 50dirham card usually last me for about 10-14 days depending on how much I've been texting or calling with it.... Hope this helps in someway; good luck and I hope you will be able to get the phone card that you need:)

23

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 July 2011 - 18:01

Thanks for that Dimple, but what I meant was that Etisalat seems to have two different prepay sims. It's a bit confusing, but there seems to be one that is for visitors/people that don't have their RP yet which is also more expensive when you make calls/send texts. This seems to be the Ahlan sim (they actually call it the "Visitor's Mobile Package"). The requirements to get this stipulate for Expatriates that you just need your passport OR GCC National ID and can get it at the airport? Also, they don't say whether you can top it up online. They also have a Wasel prepay sim which you seem to be able to top up online from within the country, but only people who are resident can get it. However, it says that Expats need to show their passport AND their visa. No mention of your GCC ID Card. Is a copy of your employment visa when it hasn't been stamped/stuck into your passport yet enough? Have I got that right?? Can anyone please confirm? I think I'm now confusing myself... Sorry, I'm just not sure I got this right - or do you mean to say that you can chose between the Wasel and Ahlan as long as you just show your passport - no need to have your RP?? Anyone know which one is the cheaper/better one to get for simply making calls within the country and SMS/MMS? I'm thinking the Wasel will be cheaper? Thanks in advance. Edited because I have just found out that the Ahlan sim only lasts for 90 days. If you then want to migrate it to the Wasel package and take your phone number with you, you will have to pay 120AED for the privilege.... Hmm. I think I just answered my own question. <em>edited by Sissy on 24/07/2011</em>

28

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 July 2011 - 14:29

Hi Sissy I know how frustrating it can get! We got our prepaid plan from Etisalat; first you have to go to an Etisalat counter and tell them you want a prepaid SIM card; You will need your passport for this. Then if you already have a phone, you should just be able to use the SIM card; we had to get a new phone. Then when you run out of credit, you can easily go to Lulu and get your prepaid recharged! Hope this helps! :)

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