e& UAE has commercially activated what it describes as the world’s first mobile network using Upper 6GHz spectrum and 256TRX Giga-MIMO technology. The network can deliver peak single-user download speeds of up to 10Gbps and upload speeds of up to 1Gbps. The deployment is aimed at increasing mobile capacity while giving e& operational experience with technologies expected to support future 6G networks.
- Location: United Arab Emirates
- Organisation: e& UAE
- Status: Commercially activated on September 29, 2026
- Who is affected: e& UAE mobile users and businesses as the network expands
- Business impact: Higher mobil capacity for data-heavy digital services and future technologies
- What’s next: Continued development towards the UAE’s national 6G roadmap
The UAE has taken another step towards next-generation connectivity with the commercial launch of an Upper 6GHz mobile network by e& UAE. The telecom operator says the network is the world’s first commercial deployment using Upper 6GHz with 256TRX Giga-MIMO technology and can reach peak download speeds of up to 10Gbps.
The technology is being deployed over e& UAE’s existing 5.5G network rather than as a standalone 6G service. The move increases network capacity today while supporting the UAE’s longer-term plans for 6G development.
What is the UAE’s new 10Gbps mobile network?
e& UAE has activated a new network layer using spectrum between 6425MHz and 6775MHz, providing up to 350MHz of continuous bandwidth.
According to WAM and e& UAE, the network can deliver peak single-user throughput of up to 10Gbps for downloads and 1Gbps for uploads. When combined with commercial TDD bands, total single-cell throughput can exceed 50Gbps.
These figures represent peak network capabilities rather than speeds that every customer will receive on a smartphone. Actual performance will depend on factors such as compatible devices, network conditions, location and the number of users connected.
The deployment uses 256TRX Giga-MIMO, increasing the number of antenna transceiving elements compared with conventional 64TRX 5G configurations.
Why is Upper 6GHz important for mobile connectivity?
Upper 6GHz can provide a large amount of additional spectrum for high-capacity wireless networks. For operators, that can help handle growing demand for mobile data in busy locations.
e& UAE says its 256TRX Giga-MIMO system also improves beamforming and interference suppression. Beamforming allows the network to direct radio signals more precisely towards users, which can be particularly useful in densely populated areas.
Higher-frequency spectrum can have coverage challenges compared with lower-frequency bands. e& UAE says its deployment can achieve site-for-site coverage comparable with its existing 3.5GHz C-band infrastructure.
That claim relates to the operator’s deployment and should not be interpreted as nationwide coverage of the new Upper 6GHz service.
Is the UAE’s new network already 6G?
No. The new service should not be described as a commercial 6G network.
e& UAE is deploying the Upper 6GHz technology over its existing 5.5G network as part of the evolution towards future 6G systems.
The distinction is important because international 6G standards are still being developed. The International Telecommunication Union refers to 6G as IMT-2030, with technical requirements and candidate technologies progressing through the international standardisation process.
For the UAE, the latest e& deployment provides practical experience with technologies that could form part of future network generations.
How does the launch support the UAE’s 6G plans?
The rollout follows several steps by the UAE to prepare for next-generation mobile technology.
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) released the UAE’s 6G roadmap in 2024. TDRA also announced the allocation of the 600MHz and 6GHz bands for International Mobile Telecommunications in November 2024, with operations expected to begin during 2025 and 2026.
In November 2025, TDRA launched the UAE’s national 6G Initiative and 6G Committee. The initiative brings together government entities, telecom operators, universities, research centres and technology companies to support research, innovation, standards development and spectrum planning.
The latest e& deployment therefore fits into a wider national programme rather than being a standalone technology announcement.
What could the new network support?
Higher-capacity mobile connectivity could become increasingly important as more services rely on large volumes of data and low-latency connections.
e& UAE has identified potential applications including AI-native network operations, extended reality, autonomous industrial systems and smart-city infrastructure.
For businesses, stronger mobile capacity could support data-intensive operations and connected systems without relying entirely on fixed broadband infrastructure.
The technology could also become relevant to Dubai and other UAE cities as connected transport, smart infrastructure, artificial intelligence and immersive digital services continue to develop.
However, these are potential future applications. The launch does not mean that every listed use case is already commercially available through the new network.
For UAE residents, the immediate significance is greater mobile network capacity rather than an instant upgrade to 10Gbps speeds on every phone.
The deployment could help e& UAE manage rising data demand, particularly in busy urban areas. Businesses developing connected, AI-driven or data-heavy services could also benefit as compatible network infrastructure expands.
For the UAE, the launch adds another practical development to its 6G strategy. e& UAE can now operate the technology commercially, collect network experience and continue preparing for the next generation of mobile standards.
The next stage will depend on network expansion, compatible devices, spectrum availability and the continued development of international 6G standards.
FAQs
What is the maximum speed of e& UAE’s new mobile network?
e& UAE says its new Upper 6GHz network can reach peak single-user download speeds of up to 10Gbps and upload speeds of up to 1Gbps.
Is the UAE’s 10Gbps network a 6G network?
No. The network operates over e& UAE’s existing 5.5G infrastructure. It is designed to support the evolution towards future 6G technologies.
What spectrum does the new UAE network use?
The network uses Upper 6GHz spectrum between 6425MHz and 6775MHz, providing up to 350MHz of continuous bandwidth.
What is 256TRX Giga-MIMO?
256TRX Giga-MIMO is an advanced antenna technology that increases the number of transceiver elements used by a mobile network. e& UAE says it supports improved beamforming, interference suppression and network capacity.
When will 6G officially arrive in the UAE?
The UAE is already developing and testing technologies that support its 6G roadmap, but the latest e& deployment is not a commercial 6G network. International IMT-2030 standardisation is still progressing, with final 6G standards expected around 2030.
e& UAE’s commercial Upper 6GHz deployment marks a new stage in the country’s mobile network development. While it is not 6G, the 10Gbps-capable technology adds capacity to the existing 5.5G network and gives the UAE another building block for its longer-term 6G ambitions.
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