Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority
United Arab Emirates federal authority that regulates the telecommunications and IT sector, licenses operators, manages spectrum and provides digital government services. Established in 2003 and renamed TDRA in 2021.
Industry: Telecommunications and digital government regulation | Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Founded: 2003
About Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, known as TDRA, is the United Arab Emirates federal regulator for the telecommunications and information technology sector and also provides digital government services. Wikipedia says it was established on 15 November 2003 as the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority under Federal Law by Decree No. 3 of 2003, was renamed TDRA in April 2021, and is headquartered in Abu Dhabi with an office in Dubai.
The same source describes its mandate as regulating the ICT sector, making telecom services available across all emirates, developing the regulatory framework, resolving disputes among market participants and representing the UAE at the International Telecommunication Union. TDRA's website lists services including complaint handling, wireless permits, telecom equipment registration, licensing of trust service providers, domain registrar accreditation and the federal government network.
Talal Humaid Belhoul is chairman of its board of directors. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar became Director General by federal decree in July 2021, succeeding Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori; he had been deputy Director General for the telecommunications sector since joining in 2010. Mohammed Al Ramsi is Deputy Director General for the Telecommunications Sector.
On 12 August 2026 the board renewed the public telecommunications licences of Emirates Telecommunications Group (e&) and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) for 20 years, from 9 August 2026 to 8 August 2046, replacing licences issued in 2006. On 28 August 2026 TDRA granted Starlink Satellite Communication Services a ten-year general satellite services licence. In July 2026 it adopted radio spectrum updates to support advanced air mobility, and from 19 to 22 October 2026 it ran a capacity-building week with the ITU.
In May 2026 TDRA said the official government platform had passed 11 million users. Gulf News reported on 14 June 2026 that its Information and Digital Government Sector would be combined into the new Federal Authority for Artificial Intelligence and Data; the sources read do not say how this changes TDRA's remit.