Have you noticed something surprising on your phone today? Instead of your usual carrier name like Etisalat or du, your network bar now shows “UAE & Kuwait” — and many residents across the UAE are wondering what it means.
This isn’t a technical glitch or roaming problem — it’s intentional, and it’s happening right now on 29 January 2026. Here’s the full explanation.
What’s Happening With Your Phone Network Name?
Today, many mobile users in the UAE woke up to see “UAE & Kuwait” displayed as their network name on the signal bar of their phones.
This message isn’t due to your phone switching providers or roaming — it’s a temporary network display change pushed by telecom operators across the country.
This kind of update is controlled by the mobile network itself. Your phone simply shows whatever text the network broadcasts.
🇦🇪🇰🇼 Why the Change — What It Means
The reason behind this real-time change is that the UAE is celebrating a special week dedicated to its friendship with Kuwait, officially titled:
UAE and Kuwait — Brothers Forever Week
This celebration runs from 29 January to 4 February 2026, and the updated network name is a symbolic way for telecom operators to show unity and appreciation for the deep cultural and historical ties between the UAE and Kuwait.
So when your network bar shows “UAE & Kuwait”, it’s essentially a live tribute on your phone screen marking this celebration. The same happened on March 04, 2025. The ‘Fathers’ Endowment’ campaign, tied to the ‘FathersFund’ display on your phone, is a sustainable endowment fund launched with a value of one billion dirhams (approximately $272 million USD). Announced by Sheikh Mohammed, this initiative aims to celebrate the pivotal role fathers play in UAE society while raising funds to provide healthcare and treatment for the poor and needy. It’s a dual-purpose mission: honoring paternal contributions and extending a lifeline to those in need.
What Else Is Happening This Week
The network name change is part of wider festivities across the UAE:
✨ Drone shows and fireworks at Global Village
✨ Marine processions and night drone shows at Abu Dhabi waters and Yas Bay Waterfront
✨ Cultural showcases, live music, and traditional performances at Al Wathba’s Sheikh Zayed Festival
✨ Museums, malls, and public spaces are lighting up in Kuwait’s flag colours
✨ Family-friendly activities across major destinations
In addition, the UAE–Kuwait Media Forum opened earlier this week to highlight historic ties and future cooperation.
All of this is happening in real time, which explains why the change on phone screens isn’t random. It’s part of a coordinated nationwide celebration.
Does This Affect Your Signal or Billing?
No. Despite how it looks, this network name change does not affect:
📶 Your signal strength
💸 Your data charges or roaming status
📞 Your calling or SMS services
It’s purely a display message broadcast by telecom networks — similar to past changes during national events.
Your service continues exactly as normal under your usual carrier.
Why Telecom Networks Do This
Mobile carriers occasionally update the carrier name shown on phones to reflect:
• National celebrations
• Cultural campaigns
• Major milestones
It’s a unique way to instantly reach millions of users — far beyond traditional ads or banners.
These updates are always temporary and symbolic.
Bottom Line — What to Know Today
👉 On 29 January 2026, many phones across the UAE show “UAE & Kuwait.”
👉 This marks UAE–Kuwait Brothers Forever Week.
👉 The change is temporary and purely symbolic.
👉 It has zero impact on your mobile service.
👉 It connects directly to real-time celebrations happening nationwide.
Sunita KS is a passionate Blogger, Content Writer, and Digital Marketer. She started her journey in content creation over a decade ago. She brings up-to-date information to help readers explore and enjoy everything Dubai has to offer. Sunita loves discovering hidden gems across the city and sharing tips on places to visit and things to do in Dubai.
