e& UAE, a prominent middle eastern technology group with a diverse telecommunications and digital infrastructure portfolio, has announced it has awarded a contract to a strategic infrastructure partner to roll out the world’s first commercial mobile network using Upper 6GHz (U6GHz) 256TRX Giga-MIMO technology. Planned for commercial launch in the second half of 2026, the deployment enables e& UAE to lay the network foundations needed for the 6G era.
The deployment also supports the UAE’s national 6G roadmap led by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), in the run up to global 6G standardization. It will also support broader use of the “Golden 6GHz Band” and enhance e& UAE’s long-term network evolution pathway towards IMT-2030 and 6G.
Marwan Bin Shakar, Chief Technology Officer at e& UAE, said, “The commercial deployment of U6GHz 256TRX Giga-MIMO is a major step in e& UAE’s network evolution. It will enhance the 5G-Advanced experience for customers today while preparing the architecture needed for 6G.”
In a press release, e& explained that the network will use the U6GHz spectrum range of 6425–6775 MHz/ 350MHz, providing up to 350 MHz. This will be combined with 256TRX Giga-MIMO technology, which increases antenna capability at each site compared with standard 64TRX 5G configurations. The result is higher network capacity, more accurate beamforming, improved interference management and a better experience in high-traffic urban areas.
The technology is designed to deliver peak speeds of up to 10 Gbps downlink and 1 Gbps uplink. Its advanced beamforming capability also helps address coverage challenges usually associated with higher-frequency spectrum, supporting coverage levels comparable to existing 3.5 GHz C-band sites.
Through this deployment, e& UAE aims to develop an evolutionary mobile network in the UAE, bringing fibre-like speeds over the air and supporting the country’s wider digital infrastructure goals.
