In a move that is set to revolutionize the telecommunications industry, one of the two UAE-based telecom service providers, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC) du, has taken the lead in initiating the introduction of the 6G network by 2030. This is a significant step, as most countries are still in the process of launching their 5G networks. Du has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Huawei, a long-standing partner, to further strengthen their collaboration in 5.5G innovation, including technological innovation and end-to-end network evolution. The MoU was signed at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona on Sunday, marking a new phase in their partnership.
Du has been one of the fastest-growing telecommunication operators in the UAE, and its partnership with Huawei has helped it capture a significant market share in the Middle East market, with outstanding performance in 5G network experience and service development. Under the MoU, both du and Huawei will collaborate on 5.5G in three aspects.
Firstly, they will focus on innovation by working on key technologies such as extremely large antenna array massive MIMO (ELAA-MM), passive IoT, and virtual large carrier among others, and discuss the exchange-to-exchange (E2E) network evolution roadmap. Secondly, they will conduct research on new scenarios and identify potential applications based on local requirements such as metaverse, holographic meeting, and XR, to explore new areas of application. Lastly, they will work together with local and global industry partners to build a sound 5.5G ecosystem and promote multilateral business success.
Saleem Al Blooshi, the CTO of du, expressed his commitment to working with industry leaders around the world to create new solutions that help the company stay at the forefront of digital innovation. The partnership between du and Huawei is set to redefine the future of telecommunications in the UAE and beyond, as they explore new possibilities and drive innovation in the industry.