I'm going to be in Dubai again this xmas my mobile phone network doesn't work over there,last i heard you had to be a resident to buy a sim card in the UAE surely that's changed at this stage can anyone tell me?cheers

No, you just need a photocopy of your passport. You can get them in Dubai Duty Free shop when you land, approx 150dh.

You can actually now buy a three month tourist sim card called 'Marhaba' for something like Dh130, which gives you free calls and texts.

as a tourists how many call/texts you going to make in 3 mths?

When I'm abroad I always end up spending money on phone calls etc

sounds good free calls and texts where can i obtain that then and do i need to show some ID and that?

You get them from the etisalat (or eggysalad) shop which is on the lhs, just after you go through the final security doors, near where all the car hire booths are, If I recall, it's the 2nd or 3rd booth on the lhs.

pretty lame considering you can get a sim card for $1-2 in places like Thailand...

Can't you just go to a local supermarket and buy a pay as you go card anymore? I used to get mine from Choitrams (spelling is probably wrong as I have not lived there for a couple of years).
Used to be easy peasy, but if not then Etisalat is your answer.

In the UAE Etisalat is the ONLY 'answer'

Ahlan sim card 90 dhs from duty free on way out. 90 mins local calls, 3 mins international calls, 9 texts. Top ups 25 or 40 dhs from hotels, supermarkets or petrol stations. Our hotel did not have sim cards and lot of other shops sold out.

Yep, Etisalat the only option unless you want to pay your own (if it works) service providers costs!!

What is the company you use - have found Virgin UK doesn't work out here??