The UAE has cemented its position as a global leader in telecommunications, announcing a landmark achievement in the race for next-generation connectivity.
In a pioneering collaboration, e& UAE (formerly Etisalat) and New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have successfully demonstrated the Middle East’s first-ever 6G Terahertz (THz) pilot, reaching a staggering throughput of 145 gigabits per second (Gbps). This record-breaking speed is one of the fastest ever recorded in a 6G trial globally.
The trial validates the immense potential of Terahertz frequencies, which are essential for the future of 6G, showcasing ultra-high-capacity and ultra-low-latency links.
- Record Speed: The 145 Gbps throughput is significantly faster than commercial 5G networks and sets a new regional benchmark, paving the way for data-intensive applications previously considered science fiction.
- Enabling the Future: The success of the pilot demonstrates the capability to support transformative 6G use cases, including:
- Holographic Telepresence: Real-time, three-dimensional communication with no perceptible delay.
- Extended Reality (XR): Highly immersive Virtual and Augmented Reality experiences.
- Digital Twins: High-fidelity, real-time virtual simulations of physical systems and cities.
- Terabit-Class Backhaul: Massive data capacity for future smart cities and industries.
- Industry-Academia Partnership: The trial is the result of a strategic 6G collaboration Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between e& UAE and NYUAD, highlighting the critical role of joint research in shaping future global communication standards.
Marwan Bin Shaker, Acting Chief Technology and Information Officer at e& UAE, stated, “This achievement demonstrates our ability to pioneer at the edge of technology, exploring the transformative potential of 6G to reimagine how people, businesses, and cities connect. The network of the 6G era will be intelligent, resilient, and sovereign.”
Dr. Sehamuddin Galadari, Managing Director of the Research Institute, NYU Abu Dhabi, added, “By combining academic excellence with real-world operator expertise, the UAE is positioning itself as a co-creator of the 6G era.”
The achievement reinforces the UAE’s strategic vision to become a hyper-connected, AI-powered digital nation, accelerating its goal to lead the global development and standardization of sixth-generation wireless technology. The commercial rollout of 6G is anticipated worldwide around 2030, but the UAE’s early trials position it at the forefront of this digital revolution.
