Telecom Review Group Accelerates 10Giga Connectivity Journey in GCC with U6GHz Technology
During the 20th Telecom Review Leaders' Summit held on October 20-21, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai Jumeirah Beach Residence, industry leaders convened to explore how the upper 6GHz frequency band (U6GHz) and 5G-Advanced technologies could expedite the shift towards connectivity speeds of 10 Gbps across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The panel discussion, moderated by Issam Eid, Group CMO and Partner at Telecom Review Group, featured key figures such as Dr. Bilel Jamoussi from the ITU, and executives from major telecom entities like GSMA, TDRA, du, etisalat, Huawei, and Ericsson.
The progress made by the UAE in the commercial rollout of U6GHz underscores the importance of forward-thinking frequency policies and regulatory coordination. Engineer Saif Bin Ghalita, Executive Director of Technology Development Affairs at TDRA, elaborated on the nation’s frequency roadmap, which includes the allocation of 500 MHz in the 6GHz band for indoor Wi-Fi in 2020 and a further 700 MHz for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) outlined in the national frequency plan of 2024. These initiatives paved the way for commercial deployment by local telecom operators etisalat and du.
"I would like to specifically acknowledge Huawei, with whom the UAE has partnered for over 25 years, for fulfilling its commitments in this rollout,” noted Engineer Bin Ghalita, emphasizing the significance of collaboration in transforming goals into tangible advancements. He also pointed out that regulators must pay attention to device compatibility and cooperation to avoid interference. “The regulator's role does not end with frequency allocation; it continues until investments and collaboration lead to an enhanced experience for society,” he added.
The GSMA highlighted the growing international support for the U6GHz band, with countries representing over 80% of the global population now backing its use for mobile communication. Dr. Jamoussi warned about the risks of fragmented national approaches potentially leading to increased costs and higher device ecosystem fragmentation. "International harmonization will be essential to making advanced connectivity more affordable and improving interoperability,” he stated.
The ultra-broad bandwidth of U6GHz enables significant improvements in maximum data speeds. du reported a peak speed of 10 Gbps during a demonstration involving the combination of U6GHz with frequencies below 3 GHz. Dr. Sherif described this achievement as a milestone for the UAE's broader telecom ecosystem.
He noted, “This performance is particularly remarkable given the role of 5G-Advanced as a bridge between 5G and 6G. There are critical lessons to be drawn from this as we work towards the commercialization of 6G.”
Steven Liu from Huawei pointed out potential applications in fixed wireless access (FWA), mobile broadband, and AI-driven services, emphasizing that the ultra-wide bandwidth of U6GHz supports higher broadband speeds for home use and demanding mobile applications, although real performance will depend on network configuration and deployment conditions. Liu added that the sector could deliver a new level of innovative services and superior user experiences with U6GHz.
Dr. Elnashar highlighted new enterprise solutions and AI-driven consumer applications as part of the trajectory initiated two to three years ago with U6GHz prototypes in the UAE. “We’ve recently demonstrated a downlink and uplink speed of 10 Gbps, showing that we can now bridge the gap between wireless connections and fiber optics,” he remarked. Omar Samman emphasized that the growing uplink capacity demands driven by AI applications are no longer mere predictions; they are already happening.
Following the panel, Allen Tang from Huawei and Toni Eid from Telecom Review Group celebrated the first commercial rollout of U6GHz globally, highlighting the UAE's progress from frequency planning to actual technology deployment. This milestone underscores the region's ambition to accelerate the transition to a society with 10 Gbps connectivity. However, to realize this vision, converged infrastructure, harmonized standards, technology-ready devices, and sustainable investments will be crucial. These elements will determine how effectively GCC nations can convert U6GHz’s potential into real connectivity while supporting the transition to 6G.
The Role of Frequency Policy
The progress made by the UAE in the commercial rollout of U6GHz underscores the importance of forward-thinking frequency policies and regulatory coordination. Engineer Saif Bin Ghalita, Executive Director of Technology Development Affairs at TDRA, elaborated on the nation’s frequency roadmap, which includes the allocation of 500 MHz in the 6GHz band for indoor Wi-Fi in 2020 and a further 700 MHz for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) outlined in the national frequency plan of 2024. These initiatives paved the way for commercial deployment by local telecom operators etisalat and du.
"I would like to specifically acknowledge Huawei, with whom the UAE has partnered for over 25 years, for fulfilling its commitments in this rollout,” noted Engineer Bin Ghalita, emphasizing the significance of collaboration in transforming goals into tangible advancements. He also pointed out that regulators must pay attention to device compatibility and cooperation to avoid interference. “The regulator's role does not end with frequency allocation; it continues until investments and collaboration lead to an enhanced experience for society,” he added.
International Support and Economic Impact
The GSMA highlighted the growing international support for the U6GHz band, with countries representing over 80% of the global population now backing its use for mobile communication. Dr. Jamoussi warned about the risks of fragmented national approaches potentially leading to increased costs and higher device ecosystem fragmentation. "International harmonization will be essential to making advanced connectivity more affordable and improving interoperability,” he stated.
Realizing 10 Gbps Potential
The ultra-broad bandwidth of U6GHz enables significant improvements in maximum data speeds. du reported a peak speed of 10 Gbps during a demonstration involving the combination of U6GHz with frequencies below 3 GHz. Dr. Sherif described this achievement as a milestone for the UAE's broader telecom ecosystem.
He noted, “This performance is particularly remarkable given the role of 5G-Advanced as a bridge between 5G and 6G. There are critical lessons to be drawn from this as we work towards the commercialization of 6G.”
Steven Liu from Huawei pointed out potential applications in fixed wireless access (FWA), mobile broadband, and AI-driven services, emphasizing that the ultra-wide bandwidth of U6GHz supports higher broadband speeds for home use and demanding mobile applications, although real performance will depend on network configuration and deployment conditions. Liu added that the sector could deliver a new level of innovative services and superior user experiences with U6GHz.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Dr. Elnashar highlighted new enterprise solutions and AI-driven consumer applications as part of the trajectory initiated two to three years ago with U6GHz prototypes in the UAE. “We’ve recently demonstrated a downlink and uplink speed of 10 Gbps, showing that we can now bridge the gap between wireless connections and fiber optics,” he remarked. Omar Samman emphasized that the growing uplink capacity demands driven by AI applications are no longer mere predictions; they are already happening.
Conclusion
Following the panel, Allen Tang from Huawei and Toni Eid from Telecom Review Group celebrated the first commercial rollout of U6GHz globally, highlighting the UAE's progress from frequency planning to actual technology deployment. This milestone underscores the region's ambition to accelerate the transition to a society with 10 Gbps connectivity. However, to realize this vision, converged infrastructure, harmonized standards, technology-ready devices, and sustainable investments will be crucial. These elements will determine how effectively GCC nations can convert U6GHz’s potential into real connectivity while supporting the transition to 6G.
Topics Telecommunications）
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