Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What does activity 6201.94 cover?
Activity 6201.94 covers software design for computer systems and communication equipment including embedded software, firmware, telecom software (5G core, RAN, switching), network operating systems, communication protocols and specialised communications platforms.
How large is the UAE ICT market?
The UAE ICT market is valued at USD 43.33 billion in 2025, per Expert Market Research, and is forecast to reach USD 152.38 billion by 2035 at 13.40 percent CAGR driven by 5G rollouts, AI infrastructure and specialised software development.
What drives UAE systems and communications software demand?
Etisalat and du 5G rollouts, ADNOC operational technology, DEWA smart grid, Emirates Airlines communications infrastructure and AED 13 billion federal digital-infrastructure funding drive UAE systems and communications software design demand.
Do I need third-party approval to open a systems software design firm?
No third-party approval is required for activity 6201.94. You still need to comply with standard UAE commercial regulations, vendor partnership agreements and any sector-specific engagement requirements for critical infrastructure clients.
How does 6201.94 differ from 6201.01?
Activity 6201.94 covers software design for specific computer systems and communication equipment (embedded, telecom, comms). Activity 6201.01 covers broader custom software development for applications, databases and web pages.
Topic Summary
1. Conduct Market Research and Feasibility Analysis
Understand the specialised nature of software design for computer systems and communication equipment, noting its central role in sectors such as telecommunications, oil and gas, and aviation in the UAE. Assess demand, direct competitors, and potential partnerships, particularly focusing on opportunities within the Meydan Free Zone.
2. Choose the Appropriate Legal Structure and Register Your Business
Select a legal entity suitable for your software design business, such as a Free Zone Establishment (FZE) or Free Zone Company (FZC) within Meydan Free Zone. This area offers 100% foreign ownership, tax incentives, and streamlined company registration. Complete the registration process by submitting the required documents and licences tailored to ICT and software development.
3. Secure Licences and Approvals Relevant to Software Design
Apply specifically for licences covering computer systems and communication equipment software design. Meydan Free Zone facilitates licensing in IT and software development, ensuring compliance with UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) standards and any other relevant authorities overseeing specialised software industries.
4. Set Up Office Space and Infrastructure within Meydan Free Zone
Choose office solutions offered by Meydan Free Zone, taking advantage of their modern facilities, high-speed internet, and business support services. This infrastructure is critical to supporting development teams working closely with hardware-level programming and software integration for communication equipment.
5. Develop Strategic Partnerships and Leverage UAE ICT Investment
Position your business to benefit from the substantial investment in UAE’s ICT sector by building relationships with government entities like Etisalat and ADNOC, as well as private enterprises such as Emirates Airlines. Engaging with local tech clusters and innovation hubs within the free zone will enhance credibility and growth opportunities in this specialised software design field.
How to Start a Computer Systems and Communication Equipment Software Design Business in Dubai
Behind every 5G signal Etisalat pushes to a Dubai phone, every SCADA sensor watching an ADNOC pipeline, every seatback screen on an Emirates flight sits software written specifically for that hardware. It is a specialised design discipline that lives closer to the metal, and it drives a large share of UAE ICT investment.
Expert Market Research¹ values the UAE ICT market at USD 43.33 billion in 2025, forecast to reach USD 152.38 billion by 2035 at 13.40% CAGR, with software the fastest-growing segment at approximately 15% CAGR.
Mordor Intelligence² values the UAE ICT market at USD 52.22 billion in 2025 rising to USD 94.02 billion by 2031 at 10.29% CAGR, driven by sovereign-cloud mandates, 5G deployment and AED 13 billion in federal digital-infrastructure funding.
Grand View Research³ values the UAE software market at USD 5.71 billion in 2024, forecast to USD 11.37 billion by 2030 at 12% CAGR, with systems and communications software growing on 5G, IoT and connected infrastructure demand.
Expert Market Research⁴ reports the UAE hosts over 2,300 technology companies driving structural demand for specialised systems and communications software.
Whether you are designing embedded software for industrial control systems, engineering 5G core and network switching platforms, building network operating systems for enterprise equipment, or writing communications software for aviation, in-vehicle or maritime environments, this activity covers software design specifically for computer systems and communication equipment.
[blockCTATradeLicense]
A Dubai-licensed computer systems and communication equipment software design firm operates in a UAE ICT market projected to reach USD 152.38 billion by 2035 at 13.40 percent a year, with software the fastest-growing UAE ICT segment at approximately 15 percent CAGR.
Sources: Expert Market Research (2026), Mordor Intelligence (2026), Grand View Research (2026), Expert Market Research (2026)
Who is this activity for?
- EMBEDDED & OT SOFTWARE DESIGN FIRMS: You design embedded software, firmware and OT platform software for industrial control systems, SCADA controllers, PLC programming, IoT edge devices and specialised computer systems. You serve ADNOC, DEWA, ENOC and industrial clients requiring low-level systems software engineered for specific hardware environments.
- TELECOM & 5G SOFTWARE ENGINEERING: You design telecom software for 5G core, RAN, switching platforms, network operating systems and communication protocols. You partner with Etisalat, du, Nokia, Ericsson and Huawei on telecom infrastructure software design engagements, network function virtualisation and 5G network slicing implementations.
- SPECIALISED COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE DESIGN: You design in-vehicle communication software, aviation communication systems, maritime communications platforms, satellite communications software or specialised radio and networking protocols. You serve Emirates Airlines, Etihad, DP World port systems and specialised communications equipment operators.
[blockCTACostCalculator]
6201.94 - Computer Systems & Communication Equipment Software Design
Under this activity, you can run a computer systems and communication equipment software design business. Service range covers embedded software design, firmware development, OT platform software, telecom software (5G core, RAN, switching), network operating systems, communication protocols, in-vehicle communications, aviation communications, maritime communications platforms and satellite communications software design.
This activity covers computer systems and communication equipment software design services. It does not cover publishing packaged software (5820), or planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software and communication technologies where providing software might be an integral part (6202).
In short: if you are running a specialised embedded, telecom or communications software design firm, this is your activity.
[blockCTABizActivityList]
Third-party approval: No third-party approval is required.
Anti-money laundering compliance: This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
Footnotes
¹ Expert Market Research, "UAE ICT Market Size & Share Industry Analysis 2035", 2026.
² Mordor Intelligence, "UAE ICT Market Report Industry Analysis Size & Growth Trends 2025-2031", February 2026.
³ Grand View Research, "UAE Software Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2030", April 2026.
⁴ Expert Market Research, "UAE ICT Market Technology Companies and Infrastructure Analysis", 2026.
