en.Wedoany.com Reported - e& UAE has signed a strategic infrastructure partnership to deploy the world's first commercial mobile network using Upper 6GHz (U6GHz) 256TRX Giga-MIMO technology, with a planned commercial launch in the second half of 2026. This marks the project's transition from technical validation to commercial readiness. The move positions e& UAE at the forefront of 5G-Advanced evolution while laying the necessary network foundation for the 6G era.
This deployment also supports the national 6G roadmap led by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), reinforcing the country's role in advancing future connectivity technologies ahead of global 6G standardization. It will further promote the broader utilization of the "Golden 6GHz Band" and enhance e& UAE's long-term network evolution path toward IMT-2030 and 6G.
Marwan Bin Shakar, Chief Technology Officer of e& UAE, stated that the commercial deployment of U6GHz 256TRX Giga-MIMO represents a significant step in its network evolution, enhancing current 5G-Advanced experiences for customers while preparing the architecture required for 6G. This investment supports the UAE's ambition to become a leading hub for advanced digital infrastructure and future digital services.
The network will utilize the U6GHz spectrum range of 6425–6775 MHz/350MHz, providing up to 350 MHz of bandwidth combined with 256TRX Giga-MIMO technology. Compared to standard 64TRX 5G configurations, antenna capabilities per site are enhanced, delivering higher network capacity, more precise beamforming, improved interference management, and a better user experience in high-traffic urban areas.
The technology is designed to deliver peak rates of up to 10 Gbps downlink and 1 Gbps uplink. Its advanced beamforming capabilities help address coverage challenges typically associated with higher frequency bands, supporting coverage levels comparable to existing 3.5 GHz C-band sites.
By advancing U6GHz 256TRX Giga-MIMO from technical validation to commercial deployment, e& UAE is building the high-capacity network layer required for next-generation digital services, including AI-native networks, immersive experiences, industrial automation, smart city services, and future integrated sensing and communication use cases.
Through this deployment, e& UAE aims to develop an evolved mobile network in the UAE, delivering fiber-like speeds over the air and supporting the country's broader digital infrastructure goals.
