Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Local Sponsor
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone allows international entrepreneurs to retain full ownership of their interactive services business. There is no requirement to partner with a UAE national or local sponsor.
Zero Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income
Businesses licensed through Meydan Free Zone benefit from zero corporate tax on qualifying income alongside full profit repatriation. This makes Dubai a highly cost-effective base for telecom and interactive services operations.
No Third-Party Approval Required to Operate
Unlike many regulated telecom activities, the interactive services activity code 6190.11 does not require any third-party government approval beyond the Meydan Free Zone trade licence. You can begin operations as soon as your licence is issued.
TDRA Regulatory Framework Provides Clear Compliance Path
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority oversees interactive services, giving operators a well-defined compliance structure to work within. This reduces uncertainty and supports long-term operational planning.
Strong Demand Driven by UAE Digital Economy Strategy
The UAE government has made digital infrastructure a strategic priority under the UAE Digital Economy Strategy and We the UAE 2031, creating sustained demand for licensed telecom and interactive services businesses. The ongoing 5G rollout and smart-city initiatives further expand the addressable market.
Activity Is Exempt From AML Compliance Requirements
The interactive services business activity is classified as exempt from Anti-Money Laundering compliance obligations, reducing the administrative burden on operators. This simplifies onboarding and ongoing regulatory reporting compared to other financial or telecom activities.
Know Exactly What This Licence Does and Does Not Cover
Activity code 6190.11 covers core interactive services delivery, client engagement, and regional market reach across Dubai and the wider UAE. Distinct services such as internet access provision by infrastructure operators fall under separate codes like 6120 and 6130.
How to Start an Interactive Services Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed interactive services business serves the UAE's telecommunications and connectivity market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed interactive services businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from TDRA regulatory oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of world-class connectivity, 5G rollout, and smart-city demand is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned digital infrastructure as a strategic pillar under the UAE Digital Economy Strategy and We the UAE 2031, with explicit support for telecom services.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Licensed telecom operators and resellers | Businesses operating, reselling, or providing access to telecom networks and services under the TDRA framework. |
| Connectivity and managed-service providers | Teams delivering enterprise connectivity, IoT, and managed network services to business customers. |
| International telecom and tech groups | Global operators and vendors establishing a Dubai entity for MENA telecom operations and partnerships. |
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone means 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving you a fast and cost-effective route into the Dubai telecommunications market.
6190.11 - Interactive Services
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed interactive services business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Interactive Services core services provided to clients under the activity code. |
| Regulated Delivery | Compliance-led. Services delivered under the relevant regulatory framework, standards, and reporting obligations. |
| Client Engagement | Commercial scope. Onboarding, contracting, and ongoing service delivery to retail, corporate, or institutional clients as applicable. |
| Support and Operations | Operational back-office. Systems, staffing, documentation, and operational support needed to run the licensed activity. |
| Regional Reach | Market coverage. Delivery to clients across Dubai, the wider UAE, and regional markets within the scope of this activity. |
There are some things this activity does not cover. Activities such as provision of Internet access by operators of telecommunications infrastructure, 6120, 6130 fall under separate codes.
Other related but distinct services are classified under their own activity codes and not under this one.
In short: if you are operating a licensed interactive services business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
No third-party approval is required for this business activity. Your Meydan Free Zone trade licence is sufficient to begin operations under this activity code.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
References
- ¹ TDRA - Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority
- UAE Digital Economy Strategy, AI Office
- ³ Dubai Smart City
