Abu Dhabi, 9th June 2025 – e& UAE, the flagship telecom arm of e&, has set a new world record for connectivity by achieving an Uplink (UL) speed of 600Mbps on a live 5G network, a landmark in the 5G-Advanced evolution. This significant achievement was made possible by aggregating FR1 bands at 2100MHz and C-band, paired with Uplink 3Tx (three transmit antennas) on a commercial Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) at a live 5G site, fully compliant with 3GPP Release 17 standards.
This record-breaking uplink speed is a cornerstone of 5G-Advanced, empowering uplink-biased applications with unmatched performance. By mastering FR1 band aggregation and cutting-edge uplink technology, e& UAE has set a global standard for 5G excellence.
Abdulrahman Al Humaidan, Vice President/Fixed Access Network, e& UAE, said: “e& UAE’s world-record 600Mbps uplink speed is a strategic move forward, stimulating the global tech landscape with a new era of hyper-fast, uplink-driven digital innovation. This isn’t just a technological breakthrough, it’s a launchpad for businesses and individuals to reshape the digital world, cementing the UAE as a global tech leader.”
Transforming enterprise and consumer connectivity
The 600Mbps uplink speed unlocks a transformative wave of connectivity, fuelling uplink-intensive applications for businesses and individuals. Enterprises can enhance operations, with smart factories and logistics hubs uploading massive sensor data in real time to power AI-driven automation and predictive analytics.
In addition, cloud-hosted collaboration is enhanced, supporting instant uploads for 3D modelling, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) workflows, enabling cutting-edge innovation. Uplink-biased applications like live video analytics for smart cities and real-time drone surveillance will thrive, allowing instant data uploads for critical decision-making.
For consumers, this breakthrough will redefine digital life, empowering content creators to upload 8K videos and immersive live streams to platforms like YouTube or TikTok in seconds. With this augmentation of uplink speeds, gamers will be able to enjoy lag-free cloud connectivity, while smart homes will operate with efficiency, uploading high-definition footage and IoT data instantly. Uplink-heavy applications like virtual event hosting and user-generated AR content creation will flourish, making every interaction faster, richer, and more engaging.
Anchored in 3GPP Release 17, this world-record leverages advanced features like enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) to deliver next-level connectivity. By setting the global benchmark for FR1 uplink speeds, e& UAE is accelerating the 5G-Advanced evolution, driving smarter, scalable, and energy-efficient networks.
This groundbreaking deployment on a commercial CPE and live 5G site showcases e& UAE’s ability to turn vision into reality. With optimised FR1 2100MHz and C-band with Uplink 3Tx, e& UAE has set a foundation for 5G’s future, driving a hyper-connected world of infinite possibilities. With this transformative solution, e& will be poised to empower consumer and enterprises soon once such CPEs become widely available.
About e& UAE
e& UAE is the flagship telecom arm of e& in the UAE, built on a 5-decades legacy of connectivity excellence. Our mission is to deliver world-class superior connectivity experiences that fuel the UAE’s future-focused innovation.
Leveraging the latest world-class technologies, e& UAE aims to transform lives and industries, turning every connection into an opportunity for growth and every interaction into a transformative possibility.
We are focused on expanding our core services and digital marketplaces by enriching consumer value propositions that cater to new lifestyles and emerging demands beyond core telecom services, including health, insurance and gaming.
As a trusted enterprise partner, e& UAE continues to power entire industries with 5G and AI, delivering a tailored ecosystem of solutions to meet their connectivity needs and more, empowering them to automate, innovate, transform, and scale.
Strengthening our leadership position as an AI-powered telco, e& UAE delivers seamless connectivity, cutting-edge AI solutions, and sustainable innovation to uplift people and communities, and empower businesses and industries, so everyone thrives in a digital-first world.
To learn more about e& UAE, please visit: https://www.etisalat.ae.
About e&
e& is a global technology group committed to advancing the digital future across markets in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. With the group’s financial performance in 2023 showing a consolidated net revenue of AED 53.8 billion and a net profit of AED 10.3 billion, e& continues to maintain its position as a financial powerhouse, reflected by its strong credit rating and solid balance sheet.
Founded in Abu Dhabi over 48 years ago, e& has evolved from a telecom pioneer into a technology group. Its footprint now spans 38 countries, offering a comprehensive portfolio of innovative digital services ranging from advanced connectivity, entertainment, streaming and financial services to AI-powered solutions, cloud computing, ICT, cybersecurity and IoT platforms.
The Group is structured around five core business pillars: e& UAE, e& international, e& life, e& enterprise and e& capital, each catering to distinct customer and market needs. These pillars empower e& to lead in various sectors, from telecom and digital lifestyle to enterprise services and venture investments. The ongoing strategic investments in AI, IoT, 5G and cloud services reinforce its leadership in the global technology landscape, driving the future of smart connectivity and innovation.
Driven by innovation, sustainability and a commitment to digital empowerment, e& is set on creating a smarter, more connected future for individuals, businesses and communities.
To learn more about e&, visit eand.com.
