UAE’s du Becomes First Globally to Deploy Six-Carrier 5G Network

UAE telecommunications operator du has deployed what it says is the world’s first six-carrier aggregation on a live 5G-Advanced network, combining six 5G New Radio (NR) component carriers across Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD) spectrum to deliver 420 MHz of combined bandwidth.

The deployment, carried out in collaboration with Nokia, was validated on the latest generation of devices under real-world field conditions. It increases the network capacity available to compatible devices, supporting faster data speeds and stronger network performance, with the enhanced connectivity appearing as a 5G+ icon on supported devices.

“Bringing six CC 5G carriers together on our commercial network is an important milestone in how we are building the next generation of connectivity in the UAE. This achievement demonstrates how we can make greater use of our spectrum to create more capacity and deliver stronger network performance as customer needs evolve,” said Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du.

The six-carrier aggregation uses spectrum across the 3.6 GHz, 2.6 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 1.8 GHz and 600 MHz bands, with Nokia supporting the deployment through its commercial Habrok massive MIMO radios.

Carrier aggregation allows a device to use multiple spectrum channels simultaneously, effectively creating a wider connection for mobile data. By bringing six carriers together across its spectrum bands, du can make more network capacity available to compatible devices as demand for mobile data continues to grow.

The development forms part of du’s 5G-Advanced, or 5G+, network, which builds on existing 5G capabilities with improvements in network performance, capacity and efficiency. The 5G+ icon on compatible devices indicates that they are accessing these enhanced network capabilities where coverage, spectrum and device support are available.

The deployment also contributes to the technological foundations for the UAE’s move towards 6G, in line with the national 6G roadmap led by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority.

“It also represents an important step in advancing our 5G+ network while building the foundations for the journey towards 6G, in line with the UAE’s ambitions for next-generation connectivity. Validating this capability on the latest generation of devices demonstrates how advances in devices and networks can come together to unlock the full potential of 5G+ for customers,” added AlBlooshi.

“Carrier Aggregation is crucial to getting the best possible 5G advanced performance out of scattered spectrum assets. This milestone demonstrates Nokia’s leadership in 5G Carrier Aggregation and our ability to deliver commercial-grade performance that meets the demands of next-generation applications,” said Danial Mausoof, Vice President, MI Segment, MEA at Nokia.