To the majority of the businesses in the UAE, slowness or lack of reliability in the internet translates into; time loss, loss of customers, and loss of money. The choice of the right plan can be very difficult to many SMEs and corporates since the majority of them appear similar initially. However, going a notch deeper, they vary greatly in speed, support, and cost.
Even a minor delay would be detrimental to productivity when teams use cloud-based tools, video conferences, and online platforms. IT managers need to locate a plan that is both fast, stable and reasonably priced, without having to pay for the additional features they do not require.
That is where the du Business Internet Plans come in. du provides three primary packages: Starter, Essential, and Complete. Each of them is constructed according to a type of business and budget.
In this guide, we will cover the most important differences between du Essential and Complete and where the du Business Starter Plan fits in and how you can avoid the most common pitfalls which result in money wasted or underperformance.
du’s Business Broadband Portfolio
du divides its business-grade fixed broadband offerings into tiers or categories, such as:
- Business Starter (fixed broadband + landline bundle)
- Business Essential (dedicated high-speed plans)
- Business Complete (bundle including voice, productivity, etc.)
To explore full bundle pricing, included services, and best bundle options, check this du business internet bundle guide.
These represent increasing levels of features, bundled services, and cost. Let’s break each down in detail, compare them, and offer guidance.
The du Business Starter Plan
What it is
The du Business Starter plan by du is aimed at small businesses, startups, or offices with modest connectivity needs. It bundles:
- Unlimited fixed broadband at full speed (no usage cap)
- A business landline with unlimited landline-to-landline calls
- A 5G-enabled router (Gigabit LAN & WiFi)
- Attractive calling rates for mobile and international calls.
- A per-second billing model for calls
Price & contract
- AED 249 per month + 5% VAT under a 12-month contract
- Activation fee: AED 200 (one-time)
You can also review this detailed breakdown of the du Business Starter Internet for startups to understand features, pricing, and real-world use cases in more depth.
Ideal use cases
- Small offices with up to 5–10 devices
- Basic email, web browsing, light file sharing
- Occasional voice calls via the included landline
- Businesses that don’t need heavy cloud or video streaming traffic
The Business Starter plan acts as a low-entry point into du’s business broadband world.
The du Business Essential Plans (Essential Tier)
Business Essential tier targets more medium-sized businesses or businesses with more requirements compared to the Starter plan. It pays a lot of attention to pure connectivity (speed, reliability), but does not include much in terms of extras.
What it offers
- Speeds from 100 Mbps up to 1 Gbps (depending on plan)
- Upload speeds vary in proportion (for example, 10 Mbps upload for 100 Mbps download)
- Unlimited internet usage (no data cap)
- Dedicated account manager
- More flexible contract or “no contract” option (at higher cost)
- No bundling of telephony or productivity services (this is connectivity first)
For businesses with mobile teams, field staff, or multiple locations, fixed broadband alone may not be enough. In such cases, du business data plans in the UAE can complement Business Essential connectivity by providing flexible mobile data solutions for employees who need reliable internet access on the move.
Pricing & plans
From du’s published “Business Essential Plans”:
| Plan | Download / Upload | Monthly Fee (12-month contract) | No-contract option |
| Essential 100 | 100 Mbps / 10 Mbps | AED 810 + 5% VAT | AED 1,850 |
| Essential 150 | 150 Mbps / 15 Mbps | AED 950 + 5% VAT | AED 2,250 |
| Essential 275 | 275 Mbps / 30 Mbps | AED 1,250 + 5% VAT | AED 2,850 |
| Essential 500 | 500 Mbps / 50 Mbps | AED 1,550 + 5% VAT | AED 3,650 |
| Essential 700 | 700 Mbps / 70 Mbps | AED 2,050 + 5% VAT | AED 4,650 |
| Essential 1 Gbps | 1,000 Mbps / 100 Mbps | AED 2,990 + 5% VAT | Contact Us |
You’ll also need one‐time activation and setup.
Strengths & tradeoffs
Strengths:
- Pure connectivity: no distractions of extra services
- High-speed options for data-intensive work
- Better for companies with many devices and cloud usage
- Reliability and performance focus
Tradeoffs:
- You’ll need to source telephony, email, and collaboration tools separately
- Cost for top tiers may rise sharply
- Less appealing to small firms that want a bundle
The du Business Complete Plans (Complete Tier)
The Business Complete suite is a more holistic bundle. It integrates the internet with telephony, productivity tools, and often extras to help a business go online.
What’s included
According to du’s “Business Complete” page:
- Fixed broadband connectivity (high speed)
- A hosted voice line or fixed voice service
- Bundled business services (emails, domain, possibly Microsoft 365 or other tools)
- A free advanced router (dual-band WiFi, firewall)
- A one-time activation fee (AED 200)
Pricing & examples
From du’s business complete listings:
- The entry-level plan: AED 950/month + 5% VAT, with activation AED 200
- Higher tiers: the business complete plans scale (e.g. 100 Mbps, 175 Mbps, up to 1 Gbps). In comparisons outside du site, the 100 Mbps plan is listed at AED 950.
Be aware: after 12 months, promotional rates may rise.
Strengths & tradeoffs
Strengths:
- All-in-one bundle: internet + voice + productivity
- Easier procurement and billing (one provider)
- Especially useful for small businesses that want a simple setup
- Extra tools (domain, email, collaboration) boost value
Tradeoffs:
- May cost more than pure connectivity options
- If you don’t use the bundled extras, you may overpay
- Less flexibility in customizing individual services
du Essential vs Complete vs Starter: Side-by-Side Comparison
Let’s summarize and compare by key metrics and decision factors.
| Feature / Factor | Business Starter | Business Essential | Business Complete |
| Main focus | Entry broadband + landline | High-quality connectivity | Full office bundle (internet + voice + tools) |
| Speed options | One “full speed” (no tiering) | Multiple tiers: 100 → 1 Gbps | Multiple tiers (100 Mbps upward) |
| Upload speed | Based on the line (not public) | Proportional to download (e.g. 10 Mbps up for 100 Mbps) | Similar to essential in many bundles |
| Extras / Bundle | Landline + calls | None (connectivity only) | Voice line, email, domain, tools |
| Router/hardware | 5G-enabled router included | As required by the show (likely included / enterprise grade) | Advanced router with WiFi & firewall |
| Contract & pricing | AED 249 + VAT, activation AED 200 | Ranges from AED 810 to AED 2,990 + VAT, with no-contract options | Entry around AED 950 + VAT + activation |
| Scalability | Suitable for small loads | Good for scaling to many users | Good, plus managed extras |
| Best for | Small offices, startups | SMEs with high data needs, cloud usage | Businesses wanting bundled services |
Example Scenarios & Recommendations
| Scenario | Best pick | Reason |
| A small boutique with 5 staff needing email + light web | Starter | Simple, low cost, includes landline |
| A marketing agency with many users, large file sharing, and cloud apps | Essential | Focused on connectivity and speed |
| A new business wanting turnkey setup (internet + voice + email + domain) | Complete | Bundled solution reduces vendor overhead |
| An IT team already using external VoIP and cloud tools | Essential | You can mix and match best-of-breed tools |
Practical buying checklist
Cross-check the following list while selecting the du business internet plan:
- Speed tier based on users and apps
- Contract term and any non-contract needs
- Voice needs and handset type
- Email and collaboration needs
- Router features and WiFi coverage
- Static IP needs and security policies
- Add-ons like extra lines, IPTV, or access points
- Upgrade or downgrade policy during the term
- Migration path from standalone broadband to bundles
- Who will own the site cabling and LAN support
All the items above map to details that du publishes across the Essential and Complete pages. They keep your choice simple and reduce surprises.
Before choosing, take time to compare all du business internet packages. Check more than just speed. Look at how reliable the service is, how fast issues get fixed, and how easy it is to upgrade later.
The du Business Starter PlanIf you want a broader framework before deciding, this guide on choosing the best business internet plan in the UAE explains how to evaluate speed, reliability, pricing, and upgrade paths.
Conclusion
Quality internet access is mandatory to operate businesses smoothly and stay online. Whenever the connection becomes slow, work is interrupted, client calls become frozen, and productivity is lost. It is why it is so significant to select an appropriate du business internet plan.
du has three major packages: Starter, Essential, and Complete. The three plans fit various businesses.
The Business Starter Plan is recommended for working in small offices, browsing the web, emailing, and using simple online applications. Business Essential is suitable for expanding the teams relying on cloud applications, file sharing, and video calls. Business Complete provides internet, voice, and email applications to larger businesses as a single package.
You can also opt for providers like Arktel Technologies as a du partner in the UAE, and it can offer you expert assistance with the selection of the best plan. They direct the businesses in the setting up, installation, and maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the du business starter plan?
It is an entry fixed broadband + landline bundle with unlimited data.
How is du essential vs complete different?
Essential is connectivity only; Complete includes voice, tools, and extras.
What speeds does Business Essential offer?
From 100 Mbps up to 1 Gbps, with corresponding to the upload speeds.
Does Complete include productivity tools?
Yes, many Complete plans bundle email, domain, and hosted voice.
Can I upgrade my plan mid-contract if my requirements change?
You can upgrade, but always check du’s terms to see whether there are any penalties apply.
What is the activation cost?
A one-time AED 200 activation fee is common across these plans.