Disclaimer: We sustain our work & review products through paid collaborations.
UAE ISP Etisalat Starts Throttling Connections, Possibly Blocking VPNs

UAE ISP Etisalat Starts Throttling Connections, Possibly Blocking VPNs


There’s a thin line that separates the so-called enemies of the internet from ‘internet free’ countries, and surprisingly many of them balance on both sides of that line, like the United Arab Emirates, for instance. VPNs are illegal in Dubai and other emirates, but the law is ambiguous on this since there’s no restrictions against using one so long as customers do not use a VPN for any wrongdoing, which in this case means accessing websites and services that are blocked in the region. However, many people use VPNs in Dubai, regardless of these specific prohibitions.

UAE ISP Etisalat Starts Throttling Connections, Possibly Blocking VPNs

This question of legality seems to come and go whenever a new service is blocked in the emirates, but some users now fear that VPNs will be blocked soon, however. Etisalat is one of only two ISPs in the UAE and it has recently started throttling connections, ruining the experience of those that do use VPNs for Skype and other purposes, while customers with the other ISP – du – didn’t notice any negative effects. Could this be an omen for the future of VPNs in Dubai?

What the law says

Skype was blocked in UAE in December 2017 for “providing an unlicensed VoIP service”. Naturally, people then turned to VPNs in order to unblock it again and, shortly after, a message was spread across social media that warned users of heavy monetary fines for anyone that had used a VPN without specifying any use-related behavior. To the relief of many, this quickly proved to be false when it was addressed by the authorities, leaving even more people confused as to whether VPNs are in fact legal or illegal.

It’s surprising to say but, despite Dubai’s internet restrictions, the websites that are usually blocked in restrictive countries are surprisingly open in Dubai. Among the most common of these are YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, though admittedly the content that is available on these social media channels is still heavily monitored and censored by the authorities. However, some services are still fully blocked, which is the case of Skype and other messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. Using a VPN to access these is strictly prohibited by law, meaning that all those who do so are taking part in a crime, as are those who access blocked domains or publish content on social media that could threaten the public order or disrespect the country’s religion.

Curiously, there’s nothing that forbids the use of VPNs for improving the overall network experience, though. If used for privacy purposes or just to enhance the speed of a connection, it’s perfectly fine and within the legal law of the country.

Throttling connections aiming at VPNs

When people use too much bandwidth it’s often common for ISPs to start throttling their connection, reducing it so it is unbearably slow in an effort to dissuade the user from torrenting, streaming or whatever they might be doing. This is what’s happening in Dubai at the moment. There are only two ISPs in the emirate – du and Etisalat – and the latter is being accused by its customers of throttling connections, something that du customers don’t seem to have any complaints about. In fact, du doesn’t seem to have applied such restrictions, as users report that Skype calls while using VPNs such as ZenMate have not had any problems with lag and work fine, which is not the case for those using Etisalat.

Speed Limit Road Sign
Up to 73% off NordVPN 2-year plans
NordVPN logo
Subscribe to NordVPN through our affiliate link and save up to 73% on 2-year plans. Do it with no fear by knowing that your purchase is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Save Up to 73% on NordVPN

This could be an indicator that VPNs may soon become a target in Dubai, too, which in turn will mean the country will remain at the bottom of the list of internet free countries’ for years to come.


Best VPN services of 2025

Editor's choice

NordVPN

Editor's rating:
Easy to use on any device
Extra privacy and file sharing
Comprehensive online protection
Fast and reliable connections
Security

Surfshark

Editor's rating:
Easy to use everywhere
Enhanced online privacy
Fast and secure connections
Protect unlimited devices
Multi-device users

IPVanish

Editor's rating:
Protect all your devices
Ensures user privacy
Help anytime you need it
Strong online protection
Gaming

ExpressVPN

Editor's rating:
Works on all major platforms
Fast, smooth browsing
Easy for anyone to use
Added features for flexibility
Traveling

CyberGhost VPN

Editor's rating:
Enhanced privacy and security
Fair prices
Flexible IP address options
Protects all your devices
Streaming

ZoogVPN

Editor's rating:
Affordable VPN solution
Fast and stable connections
Straightforward platform
Protects your online privacy
Torrenting

Private Internet Access

Editor's rating:
Multiple device compatibility
Keeps your IP address private
Suitable for all users
Tailor settings to your needs
Beginners

TunnelBear

Editor's rating:
Intuitive and easy to use
Extra privacy and security
Blocks trackers and ads
Smooth, fast browsing

Discussions

Share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with other users. Your feedback helps our community make better decisions.

©2012-2025 Best Reviews, a clovio brand – All rights reserved