- e& UAE introduces virtual 5G “slices” with dedicated bandwidth and performance guarantees
- The service supports industries needing low-latency, ultra-reliable networks without building private infrastructure
What happened: e& UAE debuts custom 5G slicing for enterprises
e& UAE has officially launched the region’s first commercial 5G network slicing solution, offering tailored connectivity for enterprises. This milestone puts the UAE at the forefront of digital network innovation in the Middle East. The service is built on e&’s standalone 5G infrastructure, which operates independently from legacy 4G systems, allowing advanced features such as ultra-low latency and guaranteed throughput.
Using 5G network slicing, e& UAE can segment its public 5G network into isolated virtual networks, or “slices,” each with dedicated bandwidth and latency characteristics. These slices enable specific industries—such as logistics, emergency services, and manufacturing—to run their critical applications securely, without interference from consumer or public network traffic. Enterprises can choose from predefined slicing plans aligned with their operational requirements. The company offers dedicated Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to support on-site connectivity, creating a more stable and secure network environment. Each slice is separated in both data and traffic flow, ensuring a consistent performance even during high-traffic periods.
The launch follows a series of trials and pilot projects that demonstrated the technology’s ability to meet diverse business needs. It represents a significant evolution from traditional public mobile services, offering capabilities that once required private, on-premise infrastructure.
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Why it is important
This development marks a key step in driving digital transformation across industries in the UAE. In particular, sectors like public safety, manufacturing, and logistics face high risks from even brief delays. As a result, they need low-latency, high-reliability networks for continuous and secure operations. Fortunately, 5G slicing offers these capabilities without requiring costly private infrastructure.
However, for many businesses, deploying a full 5G network remains too expensive and complex. To address this, e& UAE’s slicing model delivers similar performance at a more affordable price. Moreover, it lets companies scale and adapt their network as business needs evolve. In addition, predefined slicing plans ensure quick onboarding and reduce IT team workloads.
Overall, this launch confirms the UAE’s ambition to lead in digital infrastructure and network innovation. With this move, e& UAE sets a new benchmark for commercial 5G services in the region. Furthermore, it aligns with the UAE’s strategy to build a strong, future-ready digital economy. Looking ahead, 5G slicing will play a key role in supporting critical, industry-specific applications.
