du Achieves Regional First with 64T64R Dual Band AAU Deployment, Strengthening UAE’s 5G-Advanced Leadership
du, a leading telecom and digital services provider in the UAE, has achieved a significant technological milestone by successfully deploying 5G-Advanced (5G-A) capabilities on its live network. This marks the UAE as the first country in the region to roll out this next-generation technology, in collaboration with Huawei.
The deployment features the world’s first 64T64R Dual Band Active Antenna Unit (AAU) operating in both the 3.7 GHz (N78) and 2.6 GHz (N41) spectrum bands. Initially envisioned as part of du’s strategic roadmap, the solution is designed to deliver enhanced capacity, expanded coverage, improved spectrum efficiency, and a reduced carbon footprint.
The advanced AAU technology consolidates hardware, optimizes spectrum use, and significantly boosts network performance while lowering power consumption. It enables ultra-fast data speeds—ideal for applications such as 8K video streaming, real-time conferencing, and autonomous systems—while also improving coverage in remote areas.
Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, said the achievement represents a “monumental leap forward” for the UAE’s telecom sector, reinforcing its position as a global leader in technology innovation and sustainability.
Felix Liu, Chief of UAE Carrier Business at Huawei, emphasized the role of tailored solutions in achieving superior network performance, noting that Huawei’s 5G Dual Band AAU aligns with the UAE’s green energy and sustainability targets.
The new network capabilities support peak data rates of approximately 5.4Gbps, with average speed improvements of up to 33%. Key performance enhancements include better connectivity at the cell edge, improved uplink speeds, and support for massive IoT deployments. The solution leverages Massive MIMO and advanced spectrum aggregation to deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity for both consumers and enterprises.
The 5G-Advanced rollout also lays the foundation for future innovations such as ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), and intelligent automation—paving the way for smart cities, connected industries, and a fully digitized society.
This development aligns with du’s long-term strategy to lead the evolution of next-generation networks in collaboration with global technology partners and local regulators, ensuring the UAE maintains its position at the forefront of global digital transformation.
