Du 229 Internet Package Review (Was199 AED) – Is It Still Worth It in 2025?

When I first heard that the Du 199 internet package had quietly jumped to AED 229, I wasn’t surprised. The telecom world constantly shifts — prices go up, networks get upgraded, and users are left wondering: “Is this still worth my money?”

As someone who helped build DU’s network backbone across Dubai, I’ve seen these plans evolve from the inside. But today, I want to speak not as an engineer — but as a user. Someone who genuinely wants to help you understand what you’re getting when you pay for this SIM.

If you’re thinking of getting the Du 229 plan (or you’re already using it and wondering why speeds dropped), this review will give you the full picture — no fluff, no marketing lingo.

Wait… Wasn’t This the “Du 199” Plan?

Yes — and that’s exactly where the confusion begins.

You’ll still find people calling it the “Du 199 plan.” Even some vendors still advertise it that way. But when you go to pay, it’s AED 229.

So what changed?

• Price: Increased from AED 199 to AED 229/month
• Features: No major change — still unlimited data with a Fair Usage Policy (FUP)
• No 5G: It’s a 4G-only plan, despite the SIM supporting 5G

Let’s be honest — a 15% price bump without a performance upgrade feels frustrating. But when we compare it to other options in the UAE, Du is still holding a pretty competitive position (more on that later).

Real-World Speed Test (Dubai + Sharjah)

Since I’m lucky enough to work with DU’s network data, I wanted to test the package in real locations — not lab conditions. Here’s what I found using the Du 229 SIM:

Business Bay (Dubai):

• Download: 56 Mbps
• Upload: 22 Mbps
• Ping: 38 ms

Perfectly usable for streaming, Zoom, YouTube in 1080p — no issues.

Al Nahda (Sharjah):

• Download: 42 Mbps
• Upload: 17 Mbps
• Ping: 41 ms

Slightly slower but still very stable.

JLT (Dubai Marina):

• Download: 48 Mbps
• Upload: 19 Mbps
• Ping: 37 ms

Great performance. No buffering on Netflix or Prime.

Verdict? For casual users, work-from-home professionals, and students — speeds are solid. But let’s talk about the one thing nobody explains clearly enough…

The Truth About Du’s Fair Usage Policy (FUP)

Here’s the part most reviews avoid. Du markets this plan as “unlimited” — and technically, it is. But like every unlimited plan in the UAE, there’s a Fair Usage Policy in place.

Based on personal use and community testing:

• You get full speed up to ~300 GB
• After that, Du gradually throttles your speed
• Evening hours (6 PM – 12 AM) may feel slower — especially after FUP kicks in

I tested this across three devices. Once the FUP limit was crossed, speeds dropped to around 0.5 Mbps (500 Kbps). That’s good enough for basic WhatsApp messages, but YouTube? Forget it.

How Does It Actually Perform?

Let’s break it down by activity:

For normal use? You’re fine. For heavy streaming or gaming? Not so much — unless you top up or reset.

Can I Use This SIM in My Router or Pocket WiFi?

Absolutely — and that’s how I personally use it when testing field deployments.

✅ Compatible with:

• Phones
• 4G routers
• Pocket WiFi (MiFi)
• iPads and tablets

Just make sure the device supports Du’s 4G bands — usually Band 3 and Band 20.

❌ This plan doesn’t unlock full 5G speeds, even though the SIM itself supports 5G.

Who Is This Plan Best For?

Let’s make it super clear.

✔️ Perfect For:

• Remote workers on a budget
• Students needing Zoom + browsing
• Tourists or short-term residents
• Backup home internet

❌ Not Ideal For:

• Daily 4K streamers or binge-watchers
• Hardcore gamers needing low latency
• Anyone expecting real 5G performance

If your monthly data usage is under 300 GB and you don’t mind 4G LTE, this plan is more than enough. But don’t expect miracles if you’re pushing the limits.

Setup & Customer Support – Smooth or Stressful?

Getting started with the Du AED 229 plan is surprisingly smooth. You can buy it directly from us at WhatsApp. The SIM usually activates within a few minutes — just pop it into your device, restart it, and you’re good to go.

What I appreciate most is Du’s WhatsApp support. Unlike those long call center queues, their WhatsApp team usually replies in under 5 minutes during working hours. Whether you’re asking about your usage, need help troubleshooting a router, or want to check your remaining data, it’s quick and efficient. That being said, not every agent is equally knowledgeable — so if you don’t get a clear answer, it’s worth following up with someone else.

Du vs Etisalat vs Virgin – Which One Wins?

Now let’s talk alternatives.

Etisalat also updated its equivalent plan to AED 229/month. Like Du, it comes with unlimited data but hits a similar FUP limit (around 300 GB). After that, speeds drop — although Etisalat throttles down to 1 Mbps, which is slightly better than Du’s ~500 Kbps.

Virgin Mobile, on the other hand, offers more customizable plans. You can tweak your data amount, contract period, and speed cap. But you’ll usually end up paying a bit more for the same usage — and coverage isn’t always as strong, especially in Sharjah or the outer areas of Dubai.

Overall, Du holds its ground well. It’s affordable, reliable in most areas, and doesn’t lock you into contracts like Etisalat often does.

Should You Still Buy the Du AED 229 Plan?

If you came here looking for a “yes or no” answer — here it is:

Yes, the Du AED 229 plan is still worth it if you’re a moderate user who needs reliable 4G internet without a long-term contract. It works great for browsing, calls, light streaming, and even some gaming. But if you’re a heavy user, a streamer, or someone looking for real 5G speeds, this plan will likely frustrate you once the Fair Usage Policy kicks in.\

You should also know what you’re walking into: it’s marketed as “unlimited,” but you’ll realistically get full speed only for the first 250–300 GB per month. After that, expect a noticeable slowdown — not enough to kill browsing or email, but enough to disrupt HD streaming or anything latency-sensitive.

That said, the no-commitment setup, easy activation, and responsive WhatsApp support make it a solid option for students, tourists, freelancers, and remote workers in the UAE.