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Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE records 100% internet connectivity as some users pay up to Dh700 monthly for 2 phones
The UAE has officially achieved 100 per cent internet connectivity, meaning every resident has access to the internet, according to a report by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), as cited by Emarat Al‑Youm newspaper. With mobile subscriptions now at 203 for every 100 residents, the numbers reflect a growing trend: more people are carrying two internet-enabled phones. For some, it's about keeping work and personal life separate. For others, it's about convenience, better connectivity, or avoiding the hassle of switching SIM cards. Cybersecurity analyst Omar Qaddour is one of them. 'In my field, I can get urgent calls at any time, and I can't afford to miss them,' he said. 'I used to keep my personal phone connected to the internet and rely on Wi-Fi at home for my second device. But that wasn't practical when I had to respond to incidents on the move.' Now he has a separate work phone with its own data plan, costing about Dh350 a month compared to Dh250 for his personal line. 'The work phone is constantly in use, calls with clients, monitoring systems, and video conferences, so it naturally costs more. Separating them helps me stay organised. When I'm done for the day, I can put the work phone aside and focus on my personal life without worrying I'll miss something critical.' The TDRA report also found that high-speed fixed internet subscriptions rose to 41 per 100 residents in 2024, up from 37 in 2023, while fixed phone subscriptions stayed at 21. For Sharjah-based project manager Omar Hassan, the two-phone setup is about boundaries. 'When I go on vacation or it's the weekend, I just switch off my work phone and enjoy my time,' he said. 'Even if I'm paying more for two plans, it's the only way I can disconnect.' The financial impact is not small. A typical monthly mobile plan in the UAE costs between Dh150 and Dh1,200, depending on data and calls. For two-phone users, this can reach Dh500 to Dh700 a month. Still, many say the benefits outweigh the cost. Marketing executive Reem Ali switched after years of juggling two SIMs in one phone. 'It was just messy,' she said. 'I'd get personal messages mixed in with work messages or phone calls, and I'd miss things.' Now she uses one phone for work and one for personal use. 'Sometimes I even leave my work phone at home if I'm out with friends.' At first, that wasn't easy. Reem said she once kept her work phone switched off for a whole weekend, and her manager called to check if she was okay. 'I told her it was my work phone, and I'd switched it off for a special family weekend. I didn't want to be disturbed by anything.' Under UAE labour law, companies cannot require employees to respond outside official hours unless it is stated in their contract or formal overtime instructions are issued, said Hadiel Hussien, senior associate at BSA Law. Without such provisions, employees are not legally obligated to respond after hours.
Khaleej Times
08-08-2025
- Khaleej Times
Dubai scam alert: Experts warn against social media 'discounts' on fines, service fees
After a recent scam involving fake discounts on traffic fines was uncovered in Dubai, experts are warning residents to be cautious of unofficial offers related to government services, especially those circulating through social media and messaging apps. 'It may look like a shortcut, but it's a trap,' said Leila Mansoor, a digital risk advisor. She was referring to a growing trend where UAE residents are falling for social media offers promising to slash traffic fines, visa costs or service fees, only to realise later that they've unknowingly been part of a scam. In the incident, individuals promoted what appeared to be limited-time discounts of up to 70 per cent on traffic fines. The suspects lured victims by claiming they could reduce fines through unofficial channels. Their tactics involved using stolen credit cards to pay off victims' fines in full. Once the payment reflected as cleared in the system, the scammers would demand half the fine amount in cash as their fee, presented to the victims as a 'discount'. According to Mansoor, scammers are capitalising on a lack of awareness around how official civic payments are handled. 'People are under pressure, financially and otherwise, so when someone says they can settle a fine for 30 or 70 per cent less, they listen. But what they don't see is the method behind it, which often involves stolen data or unauthorised access.' Omar Qaddour, a UAE-based cybersecurity analyst, said the tactic is part of a wider trend. 'We've seen an increase in scams using official-looking logos, urgent messaging and private channels like WhatsApp or Instagram,' he said, in which scams relies heavily on the appearance of legitimacy. 'It's a form of social engineering, using trust and urgency to manipulate behaviour.' He added that scammers often claim to have a 'contact inside' who can expedite services, which makes the offer sound more credible. 'It preys on the belief that there's always a workaround. But no legitimate service will be handled that way." The rise of these scams is not limited to traffic fines. Experts say similar tactics are being used for visa renewals, utility bill payments, Emirates ID services, and other civic processes. In many cases, residents are contacted through WhatsApp, Telegram, or Instagram accounts offering to 'help' navigate red tape or clear penalties, often for a fee and without receipts. Sahar Al Shamsi, a cybersecurity consultant who monitors online scam trends, said people often overlook small red flags. 'Spelling errors, vague company names, no receipts, and pressure to pay immediately, these are all signs. But the biggest one is the channel. If someone is offering a government service on Telegram or through a personal account, that's your cue to stop.' She recommended that residents rely only on official portals like UAE PASS, ministry apps, or verified websites for any payments or updates. 'If someone says they'll handle it for you for cash or through a backdoor, report it. Even if it worked for someone else, it's not a system you want to trust.' She also emphasised that part of the problem is the lack of public awareness around how official transactions are actually handled. 'There's a belief that as long as the service gets done, it doesn't matter who facilitates it. But that's a risky mindset. If a fine is paid using stolen card data, it may be reversed later. That leaves the resident exposed, and possibly liable.'
