Electricity and water get all the attention on moving day, but the utility people forget most often is the internet. Families move into a new apartment in Dubai, the furniture is in place, and then nobody can work from home, the kids have no WiFi and the TV shows nothing. This guide explains how to transfer your du or Etisalat home internet, TV and landline to your new address in Dubai, which provider serves your new building, what documents you will need, and when to book the installation so you are not offline for days. If you have already handled your power and water, our DEWA moving guide covers that side; this post covers everything with a router.
To relocate du or Etisalat by e& home services in Dubai, check service availability at the new address and submit the provider’s relocation request before your move. Agree the old-address disconnection and new installation dates directly with the provider. A transfer does not guarantee simultaneous service at both homes.
First question: which provider serves your new building, du or Etisalat?
Dubai has two main home internet providers: du and Etisalat by e&. Many buildings support both, but some are wired for only one. This decides everything, because you can only transfer a connection to a building that the provider actually serves.
- Ask the building management or landlord before you do anything else. They will tell you in one sentence which providers are available.
- If your current provider serves the new building, you can transfer your existing contract, subject to the provider confirming your plan and any number transfer.
- If it does not, you will need to close the old contract and open a new one with the provider that serves the building. Ask about exit fees on your current contract before you decide.
Du home relocation in Dubai: how the process works
The du home relocation Dubai process is straightforward, but timing is everything. Here is the order that works:
Start the request as soon as your move date is fixed
In the du app, select your Home Plan and Home Relocation, or use the relocation option in My Account. Check the exact address, provide the requested documents and wait for confirmation of the installation arrangements.
Keep these documents ready
du’s relocation page asks for a tenancy contract or title deed, with proof of relationship if the document is not in the account holder’s name. Follow the provider’s current identity and document requirements in the app or My Account.
Book the installation appointment at the new address
The provider will schedule a technician visit to activate the line at your new home. Make sure someone is present at the new address on that day, and confirm the appointment a day before. Ask the technician to test the connection before they leave.
Etisalat transfer to a new address: what is different?
For Etisalat by e&, use the app’s Manage eLife section and select Home Move. Confirm the service dates and equipment instructions. Its official page says old-address services disconnect from the selected moving-out date.
One thing to verify with either provider is the relocation fee. Providers charge a one-time fee for transferring a connection, and the amount can change, so confirm the current fee with du or Etisalat directly rather than relying on old articles or forum posts.
Mistakes that leave families without internet for days
- Confusing cancellation with relocation. Ask the provider which request applies and confirm the disconnection date before submitting it.
- Assuming your provider serves the new address. Ask the provider to check the exact building and unit before confirming relocation.
- Booking the installation after the move. Technician slots are limited. Book the new-address installation when you book your movers, not after you have moved.
- Forgetting the landline number. If your home or business depends on the landline number, confirm in writing that it transfers with the contract.
Time it with your moving day
Arrange the move-out and installation dates with your provider and ask when service at the old address ends. Do not assume both addresses can remain connected simultaneously. Keep a mobile-data backup for essential work during the changeover.
For the furniture move, use our Dubai moving checklist and request a written estimate with the agreed scope and access conditions.
Published relocation fees and equipment checklist
| Provider | Published fee | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| du | AED 100, shown on the next bill | du home relocation |
| Etisalat by e& eLife | AED 150 excluding 5% VAT for standard installation | eLife Home Move |
Published fees checked in October 2026. Confirm your plan’s current charges before submitting. eLife instructs customers to take the home phone, Wi-Fi router, TV set-top box and cables, while leaving the ONT device at the old property. Follow your provider’s instructions rather than removing fixed network equipment.
FAQs
Can I transfer my du internet to any building in Dubai?
Only to buildings that du serves. Some buildings are wired for du only, some for Etisalat only, and many for both. Confirm with your new building management before raising the transfer request.
Do I need a new contract when I move?
Ask your provider whether the plan can be relocated at the exact new address, whether contract terms change and whether any cancellation charge applies if relocation is unavailable.
How early should I request the internet transfer?
Request relocation once your date is known and confirm the appointment with the provider. Availability varies, so keep a temporary mobile-data option if uninterrupted access is important.
Will my landline number change after the move?
Ask the provider to confirm whether your current number can be retained at the exact new address before submitting the request.
What happens to my old connection on moving day?
The provider sets the disconnection and installation schedule. Confirm both dates before moving and prepare a backup if there is a gap. Etisalat’s Home Move information says services at the old address disconnect from the selected moving-out date.
Put internet relocation on the same calendar as your service-elevator booking and utility handover. Record the request reference, installation appointment and a contact number. Take your movable equipment in a clearly labelled box, and test the connection before closing the technician visit.
Confirm availability at the new address, submit the relocation request, agree the service dates and keep a backup connection ready. Test the Wi-Fi, TV and landline services you use after installation.
