Is 054 du or Etisalat? Complete UAE Prefix Lookup — 050 to 058

Every UAE mobile number starts with a three-digit prefix: 050, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, or 058. That prefix tells you exactly which carrier originally issued the number. If you have ever wondered whether your number — or someone else's — is on Etisalat, du, or Virgin Mobile, this guide gives you the instant answer.

We will cover every prefix, explain what happens when someone ports their number to a different carrier, and show you why the prefix matters for VIP number pricing. If you already know your prefix and want to browse numbers, jump straight to the marketplace.

The Quick Answer: Complete UAE Prefix Table

Here is the definitive lookup table for all eight UAE mobile prefixes. This is accurate as of 2026 and reflects the original carrier assignment for each prefix.

Prefix	Carrier	Network	Since
050	Etisalat (e&)	Etisalat	1976
052	du	du	2007
053	Virgin Mobile	du (MVNO)	2017
054	Etisalat (e&)	Etisalat	2011
055	du	du	2007
056	Etisalat (e&)	Etisalat	2013
057	DOMC	DOMC	2020
058	du / Virgin Mobile	du	2015

Summary: Etisalat owns 050, 054, and 056. du owns 052, 055, and 058. Virgin Mobile uses 053 and shares 058 with du. DOMC operates 057.

For a deeper dive into the history and technical details behind each prefix, read our complete UAE Mobile Number Prefixes Guide.

Is 054 du or Etisalat?

054 is Etisalat. The 054 prefix was allocated to Etisalat (now branded as e& UAE) in 2011 as their second prefix expansion after the original 050. Every number that starts with 054 was originally issued by Etisalat.

This is one of the most commonly asked questions in the UAE because 054 was introduced years after du launched, and many people assume the newer prefixes belong to the newer carrier. They do not. Etisalat holds 050, 054, and 056. du holds 052, 055, and 058.

If you are looking for premium 054 numbers, browse the full collection on MobileNumber.ae. The 054 prefix sits in the middle of the market value hierarchy — more affordable than 050 but with the same Etisalat network quality.

Is 052 Etisalat or du?

052 is du. The 052 prefix is one of du's three allocations (alongside 055 and 058). It was part of du's original launch in 2007 when the company entered the UAE market as the second licensed telecom operator.

In the VIP number market, 052 numbers sit at the more affordable end of the pricing spectrum. This makes them an excellent choice for buyers who want a premium digit pattern without paying the 050 or 055 premium. Browse available 052 numbers.

Is 058 du or Etisalat?

058 is du. The 058 prefix was allocated to du in 2015 as their third and most recent prefix. Virgin Mobile UAE, which operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) on du's infrastructure, also issues some numbers under the 058 prefix.

This means a 058 number could be either du or Virgin Mobile. Both operate on the same physical network, so coverage and call quality are identical. The difference is in the plan structure and branding.

For the best deals on this prefix, browse 058 numbers. For a comparison of what each carrier offers, read our Etisalat vs du vs Virgin Mobile comparison.

Is 053 du or Etisalat?

053 is Virgin Mobile. The 053 prefix is exclusively assigned to Virgin Mobile UAE, which launched in 2017 as the country's first MVNO. Virgin Mobile runs on du's network, so the coverage footprint is identical to du.

In the secondary market, 053 numbers are the most affordable VIP option because the prefix carries less resale prestige than Etisalat or du prefixes. However, for buyers who want a striking digit pattern at the lowest possible price, 053 is an overlooked opportunity.

Is 050 du or Etisalat?

050 is Etisalat — and it is the most prestigious prefix in the UAE. The 050 prefix dates back to 1976 when Etisalat launched as the country's sole telecommunications operator. It is the oldest mobile prefix in the UAE, and in the secondary market, it commands a 30 to 50 percent premium over the same digit pattern on any other prefix.

When collectors and business owners talk about "heritage numbers," they almost always mean 050 numbers. If you are interested in the investment value of different prefixes, our Five Pillar Valuation Framework explains how prefix prestige directly impacts pricing.

Is 055 du or Etisalat?

055 is du. The 055 prefix is du's flagship allocation and carries the second highest prestige in the UAE secondary market, behind only 050. It entered circulation in 2007 alongside du's commercial launch.

Among du prefixes, 055 consistently commands the highest prices for VIP numbers. Browse available 055 numbers or explore the full du number catalogue on MobileNumber.ae.

Is 056 du or Etisalat?

056 is Etisalat. The 056 prefix was allocated to Etisalat in 2013, making it their third and most recent prefix. It carries solid market value — above the du entries like 052 and 058, but below the flagship 050.

Browse 056 numbers for available listings, or check our number value calculator to see how prefix affects the estimated value of any specific number.

Is 057 du or Etisalat?

057 is DOMC (Du Offshore Maritime Communications). The 057 prefix is not Etisalat or du. It belongs to DOMC, which provides telecommunications services for offshore platforms, maritime vessels, and remote industrial sites in the UAE.

This prefix is not relevant for most consumers. Browse 057 numbers if you operate in the maritime or offshore sector.

What Happens When You Port Your Number?

Here is the critical point that confuses many people: the prefix stays the same even when you change carriers.

Under the UAE's Mobile Number Portability (MNP) system, regulated by the TDRA, you can transfer your number to any carrier while keeping your exact same number — including the prefix. A 050 number ported to du still displays as 050 on every caller ID, WhatsApp chat, and business card. A 055 number ported to Etisalat still shows 055.

This means that in 2026, the prefix alone no longer guarantees which network a number is currently operating on. A 050 number could be running on du's network. A 055 number could be on Etisalat. The TDRA maintains a central database for real-time carrier identification.

However, the prefix does permanently indicate which carrier originally issued the number. And in the VIP number market, it is the original prefix — not the current carrier — that determines the number's resale value.

For the complete step-by-step process of how to port your number, read our MNP Transfer Guide.

How Prefix Affects VIP Number Pricing

The prefix is one of the five factors that determine a premium number's market value. Two numbers with identical digit patterns can differ by 30 to 50 percent in price based solely on which prefix they carry.

Here is the prefix value hierarchy in the UAE secondary market, from highest to lowest:

Rank	Prefix	Carrier	Premium vs Base
1	050	Etisalat	+30–50%
2	055	du	+15–25%
3	054 / 056	Etisalat	Baseline
4	052 / 058	du	-10–20%
5	053	Virgin Mobile	-20–40%

This means a quad 7 pattern (like xxx 7777 xxx) on a 050 prefix might sell for AED 80,000 to AED 100,000. The identical quad 7 pattern on a 058 prefix would sit at AED 45,000 to AED 55,000. That is a gap of AED 35,000 driven entirely by three digits that you cannot change after purchase.

Use our number value calculator to see exactly how prefix affects the estimated market value of any UAE mobile number. For the full valuation methodology, read our Five Pillar Valuation Framework.

Etisalat Prefixes: 050, 054, 056

Etisalat — officially rebranded as e& in 2022 — is the UAE's first and largest telecom operator. Founded in 1976, it held a monopoly on telecommunications until du entered the market in 2007. Etisalat operates three mobile prefixes:

• 050 — The original allocation from 1976. The most prestigious prefix in the UAE. Heritage status. Highest resale values.
• 054 — Allocated in 2011. Strong mid-range market position. Popular with business users who want an Etisalat number without the 050 premium.
• 056 — Allocated in 2013. Slightly below 054 in secondary market pricing but identical network quality.

Browse all available Etisalat numbers on MobileNumber.ae, including golden, premium, and VIP patterns across all three prefixes.

du Prefixes: 052, 055, 058

du launched in 2007 as the UAE's second telecom operator, breaking Etisalat's three-decade monopoly. du operates three mobile prefixes:

• 055 — du's flagship prefix. Highest prestige among du numbers. Second most valuable prefix in the UAE overall.
• 052 — Original du allocation. Solid mid-range value. Good option for buyers who want du network quality at accessible prices.
• 058 — Allocated in 2015. Shared with Virgin Mobile UAE. Most affordable du prefix in the secondary market.

Browse all du numbers or filter by specific prefixes to find the pattern and price point that fits your needs.

Virgin Mobile Prefix: 053

Virgin Mobile UAE launched in 2017 as the country's first Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), running entirely on du's physical network infrastructure. Virgin Mobile holds the 053 prefix exclusively and shares the 058 prefix with du.

What this means for you:

• Coverage: Identical to du. Same towers, same speeds, same 5G rollout.
• Plans: App-managed, flexible, often more affordable than Etisalat or du postpaid plans.
• VIP numbers: 053 numbers are the most affordable premium option because the prefix carries less secondary market prestige. For buyers who plan to keep their number permanently rather than resell, this represents the best value in the UAE market.

Browse Virgin Mobile numbers on MobileNumber.ae.

DOMC Prefix: 057

DOMC (Du Offshore Maritime Communications) operates the 057 prefix for offshore and maritime telecommunications. This includes oil platforms, shipping vessels, and remote industrial operations across the UAE's territorial waters.

The 057 prefix is not relevant for most consumers or VIP number buyers. Browse 057 numbers if you operate in this sector.

How to Find the Best Number on Each Prefix

MobileNumber.ae lists over 19,000 numbers from all four UAE carriers, filterable by prefix. Here is how to find the right number for your needs:

• Want prestige? Start with 050 numbers. The prefix alone signals establishment and status.
• Want value? Browse 052, 058, or 053 numbers. Same digit patterns, 20 to 50 percent lower prices.
• Want a specific pattern? Use our category filters: repeating, sequential, mirror, or lucky numbers.
• On a budget? Check under AED 1,000, under AED 5,000, or cheap numbers.
• Not sure what your number is worth? Run it through our free calculator for an instant estimate.

If you own a premium number on any prefix and want to sell it, list it on MobileNumber.ae in minutes. AED 10 per listing, zero commission on sales.

Buying and Selling Numbers Across Prefixes

The process of buying a VIP number is the same regardless of prefix. You find a number on MobileNumber.ae, contact the seller, meet at a carrier store with your Emirates ID, and complete the subscription transfer in 20 to 40 minutes.

If you want the number on a different carrier than the prefix indicates, complete the purchase first, then initiate MNP to port it to your preferred carrier. The prefix will not change — that is permanent — but the underlying network will switch.

Read our complete guides for the full process:

• How to Buy a VIP Mobile Number in UAE — step-by-step buyer's guide
• How to Sell Your Mobile Number in UAE — seller's guide with pricing strategy
• MNP Transfer Guide — how to port your number between carriers
• Number Valuation Guide — how to determine your number's market value

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Other Emirates

Mobile number prefixes are national — they are not specific to any emirate. A 050 number works identically whether you are in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or any other emirate. The prefix does not change based on your location.

However, if you want to browse numbers listed by sellers in a specific emirate for convenient face-to-face transfers, use our emirate filters:

• Dubai numbers
• Abu Dhabi numbers
• Sharjah numbers
• Ajman numbers
• RAK numbers
• Fujairah numbers
• UAQ numbers

For Dubai-specific guidance including pricing and where to buy, read our VIP Mobile Numbers in Dubai Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 054 du or Etisalat?

054 is Etisalat (e& UAE). It was allocated to Etisalat in 2011 as their second prefix after the original 050. Browse 054 numbers for sale.

Is 052 Etisalat or du?

052 is du. It was part of du's original launch allocation in 2007. Browse 052 numbers for sale.

Is 058 du or Etisalat?

058 is du, allocated in 2015. Virgin Mobile UAE also issues numbers under this prefix. Browse 058 numbers for sale.

Is 053 du or Etisalat?

053 is Virgin Mobile UAE, not du or Etisalat. Virgin operates on du's network as an MVNO. Browse 053 numbers for sale.

Can I tell which carrier a number is currently on from the prefix?

Not with certainty. Since the launch of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in 2013, users can switch carriers while keeping their prefix. A 050 number might be running on du's network. The prefix only tells you which carrier originally issued the number.

Does my prefix change if I switch carriers?

No. Your prefix is permanent. If you port a 055 number from du to Etisalat, the number still starts with 055. Read our MNP guide for the full process.

Which prefix is best for a VIP number?

050 commands the highest resale value due to its heritage status. 055 is second. For the best value (strong pattern at lowest price), consider 052, 058, or 053. Use our calculator to compare specific numbers across prefixes.

How much does a VIP number cost on each prefix?

Prices range from AED 100 on 053/058 to over AED 7 million on 050 for the rarest patterns. The most popular range is AED 500 to AED 10,000. Browse by budget: under 1K, under 5K, or under 10K.

هل 054 دو ولا اتصالات؟

054 هو رقم اتصالات (e& الإمارات). تم تخصيص هذا الرمز لاتصالات في عام 2011. تصفح أرقام 054 للبيع.

هل 056 دو ولا اتصالات؟

056 هو رقم اتصالات. تم تخصيصه لاتصالات في عام 2013. تصفح أرقام 056 للبيع.

هل 052 اتصالات ولا دو؟

052 هو رقم دو. تم إطلاقه مع دخول شركة دو السوق في عام 2007. تصفح أرقام 052 للبيع.

Start Browsing Numbers by Prefix

Now you know exactly which carrier owns each prefix. The next step is finding your perfect number.

Browse by prefix: 050 · 052 · 053 · 054 · 055 · 056 · 057 · 058

Browse by carrier: Etisalat · du · Virgin Mobile · DOMC

Browse by category: VIP · Golden · Lucky · Premium · Budget

Or run any number through our free calculator to see its estimated market value instantly.