UAE telecom operator e& has announced the launch of what it describes as the world's first mobile network running on the Upper 6GHz (U6GHz) spectrum band, a step the company says moves the technology from technical validation into live commercial reality.
Marwan Bin Shakar, Chief Technology Officer at e&, said the network uses advanced beamforming capabilities to overcome the limitations of current 5G technology, offering stronger interference suppression in densely populated areas. He described the move as significantly elevating the "5G-advanced" experience while simultaneously laying the architectural groundwork for 6G.
The launch builds on the UAE's Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) allocation of 600MHz and 6GHz spectrum bands back in 2024. Earlier this year, in August 2026, rival operator du, in partnership with Khalifa University, conducted 6G field trials that achieved 500-metre outdoor coverage and peak speeds approaching 1.5 gigabits per second.
Industry forecasts, including those cited by Samsung, expect global 6G standards to be finalised around 2028, with widespread adoption following by 2030. e& has not set a specific date for full commercial 6G services, describing the current rollout as an infrastructure-readiness step rather than a finished 6G product.
With these moves, the UAE continues to position itself among the global frontrunners in next-generation mobile network development.