Electricity & water along with sewerage are provided by Dubai electricity and water authority (DEWA).
Electricity:
o The electricity supply in Dubai is 220/240 volts and 50 cycles.
o Socket type is identical to the three point British system.
o Adaptors can be purchased at any grocery or hardware shop.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink though locally bottled mineral water is preferred. Some of the water suppliers in Dubai are:
o Culligan: 800 4945
o Desert springs: 800 6650
o Nestle pure life: 800 4404
o Oasis drinking water: 884 5656
Gas:
Gas mains don’t exist in Dubai hence individual canisters need to be purchased and connected to a gas oven via an outside tap.
Telephone:
It is an efficient and innovative company, continuously introducing new services and even cutting charges from time to time. You will require a residence visa to get a landline but you can get a SIM card for your mobile phone without residency.
Internet:
For connection to the World Wide Web, Emirates Internet & Multimedia is the sole provider of internet services through its UAE proxy server. Access to some sites is restricted. You can access Emirates Internet from any standard telephone line using a 56K modem.
Postal Services:
There is no house address based mailing system in the UAE. All mails are delivered to the central post office and then distributed to centrally located post office boxes. It is also possible to rent a personal PO Box in the UAE.
Television:
There is a good selection of satellite channels to choose from in Dubai or video/DVD rental stores are plentiful in Dubai.
Health -Medical facilities
They are present in Dubai and they are high both in public and private sectors. The Health and Medical Services Department provides medical care for all UAE nationals, visitors and resident expatriates. Currently expatriates can go to any hospital as long as they have a valid health card. However, this may change in the future and all expatriates may require having private insurance coverage.
Pharmacies:
Most medicines are readily available at pharmacies. You may check in the local newspapers for information. In Dubai you can call a 24-hour municipality emergency number - 04 2232323 which lists the locations of open chemists.
Education:
English is the medium of instruction in most schools which adopt variations of the popular Montessori Method of instruction. Annual fees may vary. Some schools like the New Dubai Nursery (Satwa) accept children from 18 months and more.An academic record of your child is required for admissions. Some schools conduct entrance tests. Schools offer GCSE, ‘A’ Levels, French, American, Indian, Japanese and other systems.
Children with special needs:
Handicapped centers supervised by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs include those with hearing and physical disabilities, the visually impaired and others with special needs. The Ministry is constantly improving its facilities, at the same time emphasizing the role of the family in caring for the disabled.
Attractions:
Dubai is a horizon of daily out projects that are important to see, experience and learn. It is surrounded by mysterious deserts, sand dunes and the stunning Hajar Mountains, it is divided by the Creek which is essentially an inlet from the gulf splitting the commercial centre of Dubai in two, and within the city you’ll find amazing beach resorts, incredibly high tech buildings all side by side with old traditional houses and mosques giving you a peek of just what variety you can expect from your time in Dubai.
Transportation
- Public Transport: The car is the most popular method of transport in Dubai. In addition, the major tourist hotels provide shuttle bus services for guests. However, Dubai Municipality tel: 04 285 9401 or 221 5555 or 800 4848 (dedicated freephone information line); operates a reasonable public bus service on 36 routes, daily 0600-2300.
- Abras: Basic wooden boats, locally referred to as abras, cross the creek from Bur Dubai to the Textile Souk area in Deira. These are operated by Dubai Municipality daily 0600-2400
- Taxis: Air-conditioned taxis can be hailed on the street or prebooked by telephone. Metered taxis, operated by the Dubai Transport Corporation tel: 04 264 1111, are distinguished by their cream color and uniformed drivers.
- Limousines: Limousines are offered by the main car hire companies and Dubai Transport Corporation tel: 04 264 1111.
- Car Hire: A valid International Driving Permit, passport and credit card are required for one to hire a car in Dubai. Visitors from many European, North American and many Asian countries can obtain a temporary local driving license if they do not have an international license. A valid national license, passport and two passport-sized photographs are required in order to do this.
