KWD 5 – AED 200/month
50 GB – Unlimited
Best for Tablet, MiFi, mobile hotspot, secondary device users

Best Data-Only SIM Plans GCC 2026 — Tablets, MiFi & Hotspot Plans

Etisalat Verified May 2026

Data-only SIMs power tablets, mobile hotspot routers, MiFi devices, and secondary phones. Cheaper than voice-bundled plans for users who only need data.

Quick Verdict

  • Best volume per cost:Ooredoo Kuwait 5KD / 500GB — beats every other GCC option.
  • Best UAE:Du Data SIM at AED 50–100 for 30–60 GB.
  • Best Saudi:STC Data SIM with unlimited tiers.
  • Cheapest entry:Friendi Oman OMR 2 weekly 3GB for basic tablet use.

Use Cases

  • Tablet (iPad, Galaxy Tab):Data-only SIM for on-the-go connectivity.
  • MiFi / Mobile Hotspot router:Replace home WiFi or provide Wi-Fi on the move.
  • Secondary phone:Cheap data line without paying for voice you won’t use.
  • IoT devices:Connected cameras, sensors, dashcams.

Choosing Data-Only SIMs

  • Coverage at your usage location:Pick the operator with the best signal where you’ll use it most.
  • 5G access:Worth the premium if your device supports 5G and you’re in a 5G zone.
  • Sharing across devices:Some operators (STC) include free SIM sharing.
  • Auto-renew:Useful to avoid downtime — but check cancellation terms.

Written & verified by GSMplans Editorial Team · Last checked May 2026

The GSMplans Editorial Team researches, writes, and verifies every guide on this site against official operator sources — Etisalat, du, STC, Mobily, Zain, Ooredoo, Vodafone, Omantel, Batelco, and… Our process →

Side-by-Side Comparison

OperatorPlanPriceDataBest For
Etisalat Data SIM UAETablet/MiFi UAEAED 50–20030 GB – UnlimitedUAE second devices View →
Du Data SIM UAETablet/MiFi UAEAED 45–15030 GB – UnlimitedUAE budget data View →
Ooredoo Kuwait 5KD Data SIMBest value data SIMKWD 5–12500 GB – UnlimitedHeavy data hotspot View →
STC Saudi Data SIMTablet/MiFi SaudiSAR 100–40060 GB – UnlimitedSaudi tablet users View →

Quick Reference

Price RangeKWD 5 – AED 200/month
Data Range50 GB – Unlimited
Best ForTablet, MiFi, mobile hotspot, secondary device users
Last VerifiedMay 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Best value data-only SIM in the GCC?

Ooredoo or Zain Kuwait 5KD / 500GB pack — about USD 16 for 500 GB. Easily the highest data per cost anywhere in the GCC.

Can a data-only SIM make calls?

Not via the cellular network. But VoIP apps (WhatsApp, Skype, Viber) work over data.

Best for MiFi hotspot?

Plans with high data caps or unlimited — Ooredoo Kuwait 5KD, Du Non-Stop, Etisalat unlimited data SIMs.

Can I share a SIM across devices?

Some plans (STC Kuwait Baity) include free SIM sharing — extra data SIMs at no charge.

Do I need a separate SIM for tablet?

Only if your tablet supports cellular and you want internet without tethering. Otherwise, tether from your phone's hotspot.

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UAE
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