The UAE’s telecommunications infrastructure — over 14,000 km of fibre optic cables, 5G towers, underground conduits, and microwave relay stations — underpins the digital economy that generated AED 180 billion in 2025. Any construction, excavation, or landscaping work that could affect this critical infrastructure requires written pre-approval from the two licensed operators: e& (formerly Etisalat) and du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC). Both operators operate independent NOC systems with slightly different processes, fees, and technical requirements. The UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) mandates this dual-NOC requirement under Cabinet Resolution No. 12 of 2016 on the protection of public telecommunications infrastructure. This guide explains when a telecom NOC is required, how to apply for both e& and du simultaneously, exact 2026 costs, and how to avoid the AED 50,000+ penalties for excavating without clearance.
UAE Telecom NOC Requirements: e& vs du Comparison 2026
| Factor | e& (Etisalat) | du | Both Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application portal | enterprise.and.ae/noc | du.ae/noc-application | Apply separately |
| NOC fee | AED 2,000–3,000 | AED 1,500–2,500 | AED 3,500–5,500 total |
| Site survey fee | AED 1,000–2,000 | AED 800–1,500 | If cables identified near site |
| Processing time | 5–7 working days | 5–7 working days | Run in parallel |
| NOC validity | 3 months | 3 months | Can extend 1 month for AED 500 |
| Damage penalty | Up to AED 50,000 | Up to AED 50,000 | Plus actual repair costs |
When Is a Telecom NOC Required in the UAE?
A telecom NOC is mandatory whenever proposed construction or excavation activity falls within the infrastructure protection zones defined by e& and du. Both operators maintain GIS (Geographic Information System) maps of all underground cable routes, overhead lines, and above-ground equipment enclosures. The protection zone is typically 10 metres on either side of any identified cable route, but this extends to 25 metres for fibre optic backbone cables and 50 metres for telecom exchange buildings. Practically, this means that almost all construction projects in densely built-up UAE areas require at least one telecom NOC — major excavation works (roads, utilities, foundations) in city centres invariably require both. Rural, desert, or mountain projects far from residential zones may qualify for exemption certificates, which confirm no telecom infrastructure is present in the work zone.
How to Get UAE Telecom NOC from e& and du: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Check Infrastructure Proximity via Online Map Tools Before submitting formal NOC applications, both operators offer online cable-check tools that allow you to identify whether telecom infrastructure exists in your project area. Visit enterprise.and.ae/noc-check (e&) or du.ae/cable-finder (du), upload your site plan in PDF or DWG format, and the system overlays your project boundary on the operators’ infrastructure maps. This pre-check is free and takes 24–48 hours. If infrastructure is identified within 30 metres, a formal NOC application becomes mandatory. If no infrastructure is identified, download the system-generated ‘No Infrastructure’ certificate — this serves as documentary proof that you checked, protecting you against penalties if infrastructure is unexpectedly discovered during excavation.
Step 2: Submit Formal NOC Applications to Both e& and du Submit NOC applications to e& and du simultaneously to save time. For e&: create a business account at enterprise.and.ae, navigate to ‘Infrastructure Protection’, select ‘NOC Application’, upload site plans (PDF), excavation drawings showing depth and method, contractor licence copy, and project permit from relevant municipality. Pay AED 2,000–3,000 online. For du: register at du.ae/noc-application, upload the same documents plus your du account number if you are an existing du customer (this expedites processing). Pay AED 1,500–2,500 online. Both operators acknowledge applications within 24 hours and assign NOC reference numbers. If their systems identify cables within the proposed excavation zone, a field survey team is dispatched within 3 working days.
Step 3: Complete Field Survey and Cable Identification If the pre-check or system review identifies potential cable conflicts, both e& and du dispatch field engineers to survey the exact cable position. The survey team physically marks cable routes on the ground using spray paint and stakes — this ‘cable marking’ process confirms exact depths, directions, and types of cables present. Survey fees are AED 1,000–2,000 (e&) and AED 800–1,500 (du), payable before the survey is conducted. After survey, a Cable Identification Report is issued detailing cable locations, depths, protection requirements, and any construction constraints — for example, minimum 600mm vertical clearance above telecom cables, and mandatory concrete protection (kickers) around exposed cable segments. The report is signed by the field engineer and becomes part of your NOC file.
Step 4: Receive NOC Approval and Comply with Conditions Following the field survey, both operators issue their NOC approval documents within 2–3 working days. The NOC approval specifies mandatory conditions: a) A telecom company representative must be present during excavation within the protection zone (call 24 hours ahead to book attendance), b) Hand digging only within 600mm of marked cable positions — mechanical excavation is prohibited within this zone, c) Daily progress photos showing cable conditions must be submitted to the NOC officer, d) Any cable damage must be reported immediately to emergency hotline (101 for e&, 800-38 for du). Both NOCs are valid for 3 months; if your project extends beyond this, apply for a 1-month extension at AED 500 per operator before expiry.
Step 5: Close Out NOC and Obtain Restoration Certificate After excavation is complete and the site is restored to pre-construction condition (cable protection in place, backfill compacted), each operator conducts a post-work inspection. This inspection — booked via the NOC portal — takes 2–3 working days to schedule and is free of charge. If the inspection confirms cables are undamaged and properly protected, a Restoration Certificate is issued within 3 working days. This certificate is required by Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi ADM, and other authorities as evidence that telecom infrastructure was properly protected during construction. Without the Restoration Certificate, your final Building Completion Certificate may be held pending telecom clearance.
Telecom NOC Penalties and Legal Framework 2026
- Excavating without NOC: AED 50,000 fine per operator (AED 100,000 total if both e& and du infrastructure present). TDRA may also suspend contractor’s licence pending investigation.
- Cable damage without NOC: Full repair costs (AED 50,000–500,000 depending on cable type and location) plus AED 50,000 punitive fine per operator. Service disruption affecting third parties adds civil liability claims.
- Expired NOC: Working on an expired telecom NOC is treated as working without an NOC. AED 25,000 fine per operator.
- VAT on NOC fees: All e& and du NOC fees include 5% VAT. Retain invoices for corporate tax deduction purposes.
- Emergency repair coordination: If you accidentally cut a cable (even with a valid NOC), call immediately: e& emergency 101 / du emergency 800-38. Prompt reporting reduces fine by 50% — delayed reporting is treated as attempted concealment.
Compliance, Renewals and Ongoing Requirements
Managing telecom NOC compliance across the UAE requires systematic coordination with two separate operators, each with their own portal systems, field teams, and documentation requirements. Large infrastructure projects (road widening, metro extensions, utility upgrades) in major UAE cities typically require multiple concurrent NOCs as different cable segments are encountered across the project corridor. In these cases, both e& and du offer ‘Project NOC’ frameworks that cover entire corridors under a single application with milestones — these are negotiated directly with the operators’ enterprise business units and can significantly reduce the administrative burden compared to segment-by-segment applications.
From a corporate compliance perspective, contractors operating in the telecom infrastructure protection zone are required by TDRA regulations to appoint a designated Infrastructure Protection Officer (IPO) — a named individual responsible for NOC compliance on each project. The IPO’s contact details must be included in every NOC application and are shared with both operators’ emergency teams. Failing to designate an IPO is itself a compliance violation subject to AED 10,000 fine.
VAT treatment on telecom NOC fees: e& and du both charge VAT at 5% on NOC application fees, site survey fees, and any inspection charges. For businesses registered for VAT with the FTA, input VAT recovery is possible if the fees relate to business activities (i.e., commercial or mixed-use development). Residential developers cannot recover VAT on telecom NOC fees under current FTA guidance.
Related: UAE Corporate Tax Guide 2026 | Free Zone License Renewal | UAE Golden Visa 2026 | UAE Business License Types
Frequently Asked Questions — UAE Telecom NOC e& du 2026
These answers reflect TDRA regulations and the current NOC processes for e& and du as of August 2026. Requirements may change as operators upgrade their infrastructure management systems. Always verify current fees and portal addresses directly with each operator before submitting applications.
Do I need NOCs from both e& and du for construction in UAE?
Yes, in most cases. The UAE has two licensed fixed-line and fibre infrastructure operators — e& and du — and both may have cables in any given area. You must apply to each separately. The only exception is if the pre-check tool for one operator confirms zero infrastructure in your work zone — in that case, the ‘No Infrastructure Certificate’ from that operator satisfies the requirement without a full NOC. For projects in Abu Dhabi, note that e& (previously Etisalat) has dominant infrastructure coverage; du has expanded there but coverage is lower than in Dubai and Northern Emirates.
How much does a telecom NOC cost from e& and du in UAE 2026?
e& (Etisalat) NOC fees are AED 2,000–3,000 depending on project size, plus AED 1,000–2,000 for a site survey if cables are identified nearby. du NOC fees are AED 1,500–2,500 plus AED 800–1,500 for site survey. Total combined cost for a standard commercial construction project: AED 3,500–5,500 in NOC fees plus AED 1,800–3,500 in survey fees = AED 5,300–9,000 total. Both fee structures include 5% VAT. Extension fees for expired NOCs are AED 500 per operator per month extension.
What is the penalty for damaging telecom cables during construction in UAE?
Under TDRA regulations and Federal Law No. 3 of 2003 (Telecommunications Law), damaging telecommunications infrastructure attracts: a) AED 50,000 punitive fine per operator (so AED 100,000 if both e& and du cables are cut), b) Full cost of cable repair and service restoration — for fibre backbone cables, repair costs reach AED 100,000–500,000, c) Civil liability for service disruption affecting third-party businesses, d) Potential criminal prosecution for reckless or repeat offences. Prompt self-reporting to the operator’s emergency line reduces the fine by 50%, which is why immediate contact (before attempting any repair) is strongly advised.
How long does a UAE telecom NOC remain valid?
Both e& and du NOCs are valid for 3 months from the date of issue. If excavation is not completed within 3 months, apply for a 1-month extension at AED 500 per operator before the NOC expires. Do not continue work on an expired NOC — regulators treat this identically to working without any NOC. For large phased projects, both operators offer renewable Project NOCs valid for 12 months, with quarterly check-ins. Contact each operator’s enterprise NOC team directly to negotiate this arrangement for projects anticipated to span more than 3 months.
Is a telecom NOC required for shallow landscaping or tree planting in the UAE?
Landscaping that involves soil disturbance deeper than 300mm in urban areas typically requires a telecom NOC, since shallow telecom conduits are often laid at 400–600mm depth in residential areas. Tree planting involving root ball excavation deeper than 300mm, installation of irrigation systems, and any landscaping requiring tracked vehicles falls within the NOC trigger threshold. Contact e& and du’s NOC helplines — e& NOC helpline: 101 (Business option), du: 800-38 — to confirm whether your project triggers the requirement before applying. For decorative shallow landscaping (topsoil spreading, turf laying) below 200mm, no NOC is usually required, but confirm with the pre-check tool first.