Telecom Review Group Accelerates 10Giga GCC Initiative with U6GHz Bandwidth

The recent Telecom Review Leaders' Summit, held from October 20 to 21, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton in Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Residence, became a pivotal platform for discussing the future of telecommunications in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. At this milestone gathering, industry leaders explored the potential of the upper 6 GHz (U6GHz) spectrum and 5G-Advanced technologies to propel GCC countries towards achieving connectivity speeds of 10 gigabits per second.

Key Discussions at the Summit

The summit featured a diverse panel of experts moderated by Issam Eid, the marketing director of the Telecom Review Group. Notable participants included Dr. Bilel Jamoussi from the ITU, Jawad Abbassi from GSMA, and leading figures from regional telecommunications companies like etisalat and du. The discussions revolved around the significance of spectrum policy and coordination in regulatory measures to drive the rapid expansion of telecommunications infrastructure.

Dr. Bilel Jamoussi emphasized the need for coherent strategies among nations to avoid fragmentation that could lead to increased costs for both consumers and providers. The GSMA highlighted a growing international momentum supporting U6GHz, with more than 80% of the global population already endorsing mobile applications utilizing this frequency band.

Progress Achieved in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has exhibited notable advancements in the commercial implementation of the U6GHz spectrum. Eng. Saif Bin Ghalita discussed the UAE's proactive approach in spectrum development, revealing milestones such as the allocation of 500 MHz within the 6 GHz band for indoor Wi-Fi in 2020 and 700 MHz for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in the 2024 National Frequency Plan.

Eng. Bin Ghalita expressed gratitude towards Huawei, marking over 25 years of collaboration that has bolstered the UAE's telecommunications landscape. The efforts made by regulatory authorities in navigating device compatibility and interference coordination were also highlighted as crucial components for success.

Transforming Potential into Real Performance

An exciting demonstration led by Du showcased the capability to reach 10 Gb/s peak data rates, a significant achievement attributed to the integration of U6GHz with sub-3 GHz bands. Dr. Mahmoud Sherif, from du, characterized this milestone as a benchmark in the UAE's broader telecom ecosystem, indicating strides toward bridging the gap between current 5G capabilities and future 6G technology.

Steven Liu from Huawei identified numerous applications benefiting from the U6GHz spectrum, including fixed wireless access (FWA) and mobile broadband. Liu affirmed the network's ability to facilitate innovative services and enhanced user experiences as the industry moves forward.

The Path Towards 6G

The discussions culminated in recognizing the importance of aligning standards and infrastructure to harness the full potential of the 10Giga initiative. Allen Tang from Huawei and Toni Eid from the Telecom Review Group led a momentous ceremony marking the first commercial launch of the U6GHz network in the world, signifying a key step towards future-proofing GCC telecom networks.

Achieving seamless 10 gigabit connectivity will require not only infrastructural readiness but also substantial investment in harmonized standards and device readiness. As the region strives for successful deployment of 6G technologies, these foundational elements will be vital for expanding access to fast and reliable connectivity across the GCC.

In conclusion, the Telecom Review Leaders' Summit has underscored the progressive steps being taken to refine telecom policies and embrace the U6GHz bandwidth, thereby positioning the GCC region as a future leader in global telecommunications.