Telecom Review Group's Strategic Push Toward 10Giga Connectivity in GCC with U6GHz Band

Accelerating Toward 10Giga Connectivity in the GCC

The Telecom Review Group recently hosted the 20th edition of its Leaders' Summit, which took place from October 20-21, 2026, at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton in Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Residence. The summit gathered top industry leaders who explored the pivotal role of the upper 6 GHz (U6GHz) band and 5G-Advanced technology in expediting the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) transition to 10 Gbps internet connectivity.

Key Discussions: Harnessing U6GHz for High-Speed Connectivity

The panel discussion, moderated by Issam Eid, Group Marketing Director and Partner at Telecom Review Group, featured prominent industry experts like Dr. Bilel Jamoussi, Deputy Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau and Head of Study Groups and Policy (SPD); Jawad Abbassi from GSMA; Engineer Saif Bin Ghalita, Executive Director for Technology Development at the TDRA; and other notable figures from telecommunications giants like du and etisalat.

The conversation delved into the significance of a proactive spectrum management policy in the UAE, which has been a driving force behind the commercial rollout of the U6GHz band. Engineer Bin Ghalita discussed the strategy for spectrum utilization in the UAE, highlighting milestones such as the allocation of 500 MHz in the 6 GHz band for indoor Wi-Fi back in 2020 and the upcoming designation of 700 MHz from 6.425-7.125 GHz for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in the 2024 National Frequency Plan.

These policies have laid a strong foundation for companies like etisalat and du to successfully implement the U6GHz band commercially. Bin Ghalita particularly appreciated Huawei's longstanding partnership, emphasizing that collaborative efforts have propelled significant advancements in the region.

The Urgency of Harmonizing Regulations

To enhance the rollout effectiveness, regulatory bodies need to address device compatibility and coordination to mitigate interference issues. Bin Ghalita pointed out that the role of regulatory authorities transcends merely assigning spectrum; it requires ongoing investment and partnership initiatives to translate into better practices that benefit society.

GSMA has noted a growing global momentum regarding the U6GHz band, with over 80% of the world's population now backing mobile use of this spectrum. Furthermore, more than 60 players within the mobile ecosystem are supporting its extensive adoption. Abbassi stressed that promoting the use of licensed spectrum is vital for unlocking greater economic value, arguing that licensed access yields seven times the economic benefits compared to unlicensed operation.

Dr. Jamoussi warned against disparate national approaches that could fragment device and network ecosystems, ultimately escalating operational costs. He underscored the necessity of international harmonization for advanced connectivity to become both accessible and interoperable.

Transforming Potential into High-Speed Reality

The wideband nature of the U6GHz spectrum offers the potential for groundbreaking advances in peak data speeds. During the summit, du unveiled an impressive peak data rate of 10 Gbps, achieved through demonstrations employing both the U6GHz and Sub-3 GHz spectrums. Dr. Sherif called this milestone a significant achievement within the wider Emirati telecommunications landscape, especially regarding the connective power bridging 5G and upcoming 6G technologies.

The panelists discussed anticipated applications and use cases for ultra-high-speed connectivity, with Steven Liu identifying Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), mobile broadband, and AI-based services as key areas of opportunity. He articulated the potential of U6GHz to support families' internet connectivity needs and intensive mobile applications, emphasizing that actual results will depend on network configurations and deployment conditions.

Future Prospects: The Road to 6G

Post-discussion, additional notable figures such as Allen Tang from Huawei and Toni Eid, founder of Telecom Review Group, celebrated the world's first commercial launch of a U6GHz network. This milestone illustrates the UAE's progress from spectrum planning to practical implementation, signaling the region's ambition to accelerate its transition to a 10 Gbps society.

However, achieving this vision hinges on converged infrastructures, standardized protocols, device readiness, and sustainable investments—crucial elements that will determine how effectively the GCC turns the potential of the U6GHz band into tangible connectivity and moves towards 6G development.