Du and etisalat unveil new services boosting UAE push towards 6G

UAE telecommunications companies du and etisalat have unveiled new services to support the nation's push towards 6G technology. Du recently delivered commercial U6GHz connectivity on its 5G+ network, which will facilitate high-capacity services across various sectors. U6GHz, a new spectrum for advanced mobile connectivity, is expected to enhance cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital experiences, and connected environments.

The U6GHz band was identified for international mobile use in several regions, including the UAE, Asia, China, Brazil, and Mexico.

Du's Chief Technology Officer, Saleem Alblooshi, stated that making U6GHz available to customers would unlock new opportunities for consumers, businesses, and emerging digital applications. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based etisalat has launched a service that triples upload speeds to smartphones on its 5.5G network. The company utilizes 2x2 Mimo technology, enabling dual data streams between mobile devices and cellular base stations.

This capability is exclusive to compatible smartphones on etisalat's network and will benefit users in sending high-resolution content, videos, and large files faster, as well as enhancing AI-powered applications.

Marwan bin Shakar, etisalat's Chief Technology Officer, emphasized that mobile experiences are evolving, with smartphones increasingly used for creating, sharing, and transmitting richer data in real-time. The new upload capacity directly addresses this shift. Etisalat recently claimed to have launched the world's first mobile network operating on U6GHz, a move crucial for accelerating the UAE's transition to 6G.

While 6G cellular technology is not yet officially available, the U6GHz mobile network used by du and etisalat incorporates several innovations that elevate the 5G-advanced experience. These advancements pave the way for 6G technology to become standard. The announcements follow du and Khalifa University's field trials of the technology last month, and the UAE's Telecommunications and Digital Regulatory Authority's decision to allocate 600MHz and 6GHz bands in 2024.

South Korea's Samsung, a leading smartphone manufacturer, predicts widespread adoption of 6G networks by 2030, with standard completion and early commercialization expected by 2028.