Table of Contents
Topic Summary
Choose Meydan Free Zone for Full Ownership
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone gives you 100% foreign ownership and zero corporate tax on qualifying income. You also benefit from full profit repatriation and a fully digital licensing process.
Understand What the Activity Code Covers
Activity code 6110.97 covers operating a licensed TV and radio broadcasting station with qualified personnel and appropriate facilities. Core services, regulated delivery, client engagement, and regional reach across Dubai and the UAE all fall within scope.
Secure Third-Party Approval Before Licensing
This activity requires third-party regulatory approval before your trade licence is issued. Your operational model, facility setup, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority first.
Know the Regulatory Framework Behind the Licence
Licensed TV and radio broadcasting operations in the UAE fall under TDRA oversight, providing a clear and structured compliance framework. This regulatory clarity is a practical advantage for operators planning long-term market entry.
Tap Into Strong UAE Market Demand
Regional demand is supported by government investment under the UAE Digital Economy Strategy and We the UAE 2031, both of which treat digital infrastructure as a strategic priority. The 5G rollout and smart-city initiatives create sustained commercial opportunity for licensed broadcasters.
Identify Whether This Licence Fits Your Business
This activity is designed for licensed telecom operators, connectivity and managed-service providers, and international telecom groups establishing a MENA presence. Related but distinct services fall under separate activity codes and are not covered here.
Note the AML Exemption for This Activity
TV and radio broadcasting station businesses operating under this activity code are exempt from Anti-Money Laundering compliance requirements. This simplifies your compliance obligations compared to other regulated business activities in the UAE.
How to Start a TV and Radio Broadcasting Station Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed tv & radio broadcasting station 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 tv & radio broadcasting station 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.
6110.97 - TV and Radio Broadcasting Station
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed tv & radio broadcasting station business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Tv & Radio Broadcasting Station 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. Related but distinct services fall under separate activity codes.
Activities that are separately regulated or that belong to a different industry class are classified under their own codes.
In short: if you are operating a licensed tv & radio broadcasting station business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
This business activity requires third-party approval before the trade licence is issued. In practice, your operational model, facility, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority before licensing.
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
