- du deploys a pioneering 64T64R dual‑band 5G‑Advanced antenna on its live network, enabling ultra‑fast speeds and greener operations.
- The advance consolidates hardware, enhances spectral and energy efficiency, and sets a new foundation for intelligent automation and smart‑city applications.
What happened: Du activates region-first 5G-Advanced network
Du, the UAE’s telecom and digital‑services provider, has deployed 5G‑Advanced (5G‑A) on its live network, marking the operator—and the UAE—as the first in the region to introduce this next‑generation capability. In collaboration with Huawei, the company rolled out a 64T64R dual‑band active antenna unit (AAU) operating on 3.7 GHz (N78) and 2.6 GHz (N41) spectrums. This cutting‑edge solution consolidates hardware and leverages Massive MIMO and enhanced spectrum aggregation to deliver peak data rates of approximately 5.4 Gbps and average speed improvements of up to 33 per cent, alongside better cell‑edge connectivity and uplink performance. According to Saleem AlBlooshi, du’s Chief Technology Officer, “5G‑Advanced is a monumental leap forward for du and the UAE’s telecom sector,” reaffirming the operator’s mission to deliver world‑class connectivity through a greener, more sustainable network.
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Why it’s important
This deployment matters for several reasons. First, it demonstrates du’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of mobile innovation by setting a new global benchmark through the world’s first dual‑band AAU. Reducing power consumption and carbon footprint while improving spectral efficiency speaks not only to technological leadership but also sustainability—aligning with broader environmental goals, such as net‑zero ambitions. Second, the tangible enhancements in speed, latency, and coverage deliver real benefits to everyday users and businesses: they can expect ultra‑fast data for 8K streaming and real‑time conferencing, stronger connectivity even in remote areas, and ultra‑low latency supporting applications like autonomous vehicles and smart‑city systems.
Moreover, the new network architecture lays a robust foundation for future intelligent automation, ultra‑reliable low‑latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine‑type communication (mMTC), fuelling innovation in IoT, smart infrastructure, and connected industries. It reinforces the UAE’s position in the global digital transformation race and strengthens du’s leadership in 5G evolution. My stance is that this incremental—but real—advance in network efficiency and sustainability is a compelling and necessary step toward future‑ready mobile infrastructure, rather than mere marketing hype.
