If you’re wondering about 056 Du or Etisalat, you’re not alone. Callers from a 056 number are much desired by many in the UAE, and many people ask this question when they receive a call from one of them. Historically, it was simple to see what network a mobile phone was on by checking the prefix. That’s not always the case today due to mobile number portability (MNP). A user may switch from e& to du without changing his/her phone number. This will not always mean that a 056 number will be on its home network. In this article, you will learn who has the 056 prefix, how number portability works, and how to correctly identify the network. 

Quick Facts

The UAE uses a national numbering plan, which is managed by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). The prefixes were originally assigned to operators, but with number portability, the meaning of prefixes is different. 

Is 056 Du or Etisalat?

The answer is a very simple one:

The prefix 056 was originally used by e& (formerly Etisalat).

A UAE mobile number that starts with 056 was originally issued by e& for the national telephone plan. Other prefixes that were assigned to e& are 050 and 054, and 052, 055, and later 058 was assigned to du. 

This doesn’t necessarily imply that the number is still active with the e& network today.

A 056 number could still be in service from du since the UAE has made provision for customers to retain their phone numbers when switching operators.

One of the larger reasons for confusion is the difference in this distinction when attempting to recognize a network from its prefix.

How UAE Mobile Number Prefixes Work

Each UAE mobile phone number has a particular prefix consisting of 3 numbers following the initial zero.

The assignment of these numbers to each telecom operator was originally intended to make network administration and identification easier.

The common mobile prefixes are shown below.

All these allocations have not been modified and continue to be used in the UAE numbering plan as before, but the allocations are no longer set to ensure that the customer is currently with the allocated provider due to the introduction of number portability. 

Why Do People Think 056 Belongs to Du?

The reason this misconception persists in the digital world is that there are several reasons.

Many people:

• Get calls from numbers that are in use by Du
• Know of someone who switched from e& to Du without changing #.
• Read outdated articles that don’t address number portability
• Set each prefix as an assumed network permanently

The mix-up has intensified as the UAE’s telecom operators have seen more customers switch between their services, keeping their mobile number the same.

Therefore, the answer to 056 du or Etisalat is dependent on the target of the question (original allocation versus current service provider).

The prefix is officially under the control of e&, though the active network may be another.

Understanding Mobile Number Portability

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is one of the most important advancements in the UAE’s telecom industry.

It is a service that enables switching between telecom operators without a change of the phone number.

For example:

• A customer’s original customer number from e& is 056.
• They then learn to move to du.
• Their telephone number doesn’t change.
• The telephone number remains the same as before.
• du is now the billing and mobile service provider.

The system makes it easier for customers to switch providers, as they won’t have to change their bank, employers, government services, or personal contacts with a new phone number.

Number portability is available for eligible customers on both of the UAE’s big operators. 

Can You Identify the Current Network from the Prefix?

Not always. Traditionally, the first three digits were sufficient to determine a mobile operator. This is not the case today.

Mobile number portability was rolled out in the UAE. This way, users can have an e& number and a du number on the same phone.

This means that the 056 prefix will display only the originating operator of the number. Does not always match the network that is being used.

Typically, modern carrier databases are used in businesses that require accurate carrier information, rather than just the mobile prefix.

How to Check Whether a 056 Number Is Currently on Du or e&

There are a few good ways to find out the current operator. If you don’t want to know your prefix allocation, you need to know this one.

Contact the Mobile Number Owner

Note that the 056 prefix no longer indicates the current network due to mobile number portability. It will only display the mobile number’s original operator. 

Use the Telecom Provider’s Verification Service

Telecoms offer both customer support and account services that can help you confirm data related to numbers or services that you have.

Check During Number Transfer

For a move, your service provider ascertains your current carrier at the time of porting. 

e& and du: What’s the Difference?

There are currently two big national mobile operators in the UAE that service millions of business and home customers.

e& (formerly Etisalat)

Formerly known as Etisalat, e& is one of the Middle East’s largest telecommunications companies. It provides:

• mobile services
• fibre broadband
• business connectivity
• 5G services
• enterprise solutions
• digital platforms

The company still has numbers that were originally assigned under the national numbering plan with prefixes 050, 054 and 056. 

du

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), also known as du, has come to the UAE telecom market to provide more competition.

It has the following original mobile prefixes:

• 052
• 055
• 058

du is a provider of nationwide mobile telecommunications services, fibre internet, business solutions and sophisticated digital services, similar to e&. Customers can move to du, maintaining numbers originally assigned by another operator with number portability.

How to Verify Whether a 056 Number Is Using e& or du

When the current network needs to be discovered instead of the original allocation, then there is no reliable way to do this using only the prefix. Since the inception of Mobile Number Portability (MNP), subscribers are allowed to switch to a different operator without having to change their phone numbers.

There are several options; the best are:

• Ask the number’s owner which network he or she is using.
• Contact e& or du customer support if you are making an enquiry related to your own account or service.
• In case you are moving your own number, request the operator you are moving to. According to TDRA rules, the new operator takes charge of the porting process.

How to Call a 056 Number from Outside the UAE

Incoming calls from outside the UAE will dial the UAE country code, +971.

For example:

• Pakistan → +971 56 XXXXXXX
• India → +971 56 XXXXXXX
• United Kingdom → +971 56 XXXXXXX
• United States → +971 56 XXXXXXX

The dialing format doesn’t change even when a number is in e& or du due to the fact that the country code and numbering plan are not affected.

The History Behind the 056 Prefix

The mobile number prefix 056 was launched by Etisalat in 2008 when almost all numbers were used up in the 050 range. The telecom regulator gave its nod to the rollout to scale up number space for the growing number of mobile subs.

However, the UAE telecom sector has undergone major transformations since then:

• Etisalat changed its name to e& UAE.
• du launched its nationwide mobile services with du Cares. du Cares expanded du’s mobile services nationwide.
• TDRA launched Mobile Number Portability that allows users to retain their mobile numbers when switching operators.
• In the UAE, number portability has been widely adopted, and now over 1.7 million numbers have been ported between operators.

That’s why the 056 prefix remains the allocation, but doesn’t always imply the current carrier.

Common Misconceptions About 056 Numbers

Many websites give a very simple answer to 056 du or Etisalat, confusing. Here are the facts.

Myth: Every 056 number still belongs to e&

Fact: It is allotted to e&, but the customer may have ported the number to du via MNP.

Myth: The prefix always determines call charges

Fact: The charges will be determined by your mobile plan and the pricing policy of your operator and not only on the original prefix.

Myth: You cannot switch operators without changing your number

Fact: UAE subscribers can port eligible mobile numbers from e& to du and vice versa as long as they meet the portability requirements.

Why Mobile Number Portability Matters

The UAE telecom market has become more competitive with number portability, which provides more flexibility to subscribers.

It is mainly used for its advantages of number portability are:

• Maintaining the same phone number when changing operators.
• Not having to notify banks, employers, government services, and personal contacts.
• Selecting a different network coverage and/or pricing without having to change phones and/or phone numbers.
• Promoting competition among operators and subsequently better services and customer experiences.

The portability service is for mobile numbers starting with 050, 052, 054, 055, 056 and 058.

Final Verdict

The 056 prefix was originally allocated by UAE’s official numbering plan to e& (formerly Etisalat). With MNP, a user can change to du without changing his/her number. It does not mean that the 056 prefix will always indicate the current network. To find out what operator a 056 number is registered to, it’s best to check with the number owner or the telecom service provider they use. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 056 an e& or du prefix?

The 056 prefix was originally allocated to e& (formerly Etisalat). Currently, however, due to Mobile Number Portability, the number may be in service with either e& or du.

Can I transfer my 056 number to du?

Yes. Customers who are eligible for portability of their number can change their 056 number from e& to du without losing the mobile number.

Can I move a du number to e&?

Yes. Number portability is two-way – in addition to being able to move between operators, customers can also be ported between them if they are eligible.

Does the 056 prefix always identify the current network?

No. The prefix is not a reference to the current provider of the service, but to the original allocation.

What is the international format for a 056 number?

When dialling out of the UAE, please dial +971 56 XXXXXXX.

Who regulates UAE mobile number prefixes?

In the UAE, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is responsible for the management of numbering resources and managing number portability.

Is there an official way to confirm the current operator?

The best way to check is to call the subscriber or the telecom service provider for your service. The new operator is responsible for the verification and transfer during number portability.