Maldives

Drone Laws in the Maldives (2025 Update)

Drone use in the Maldives is allowed only on a case-by-case basis under strict regulations, with no casual recreational flights. The maximum permitted altitude is 120 meters (about 400 feet) and drones must yield to manned aircraft, with night flying prohibited. There is no mandatory local drone pilot license for hobbyists, and no mandatory insurance, though foreign visitors may be asked to show proof of competency. Tourists must obtain MNDF security clearance via the oneGov portal (using the eFaas system) before applying for an MCAA flight permit, providing drone specs, exact flight coordinates, dates, and passport copies; processing can take

4 August 2025

Maldives’ Internet Revolution: From Remote Atolls to a 5G-Powered Paradise

Dhiraagu (Dhivehi Raajjeyge Gulhun) was established in 1988 as the Maldives’ first telecom operator and former state monopoly. By 2000, basic telephone service had reached all inhabited islands and dial-up internet was available nationwide. In 2003 Focus Infocom received a second ISP license, and in 2005 Wataniya (Ooredoo Maldives) entered mobile service, ending Dhiraagu’s 17‑year monopoly. The Maldives’ telecom market is a duopoly dominated by Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, with Dhiraagu posting about MVR 2.8 billion revenue in 2019 and Ooredoo about MVR 2.03 billion, and Dhiraagu is 52% owned by Batelco and roughly 42% by the Maldivian government. 2G service

16 April 2025

5G · Digital Divide · Internet · Maldives · Technology