e& tops UAE 5G performance charts, says report

In the latest Opensignal Mobile Network Experience Report (2025), e& UAE outperformed competitors across nearly every category, winning 12 out of 13 national awards, including “Overall Experience”, “5G Speed”, “Coverage” and “Consistent Quality”.

The flagship telco arms of e& group scored 66 per cent in Consistent Quality, significantly ahead of its rival du by 12.4 percentage points. This metric reflects e&’s ability to deliver seamless performance for data-heavy activities like high-definition video calls and fast uploads.

e& also secured 879 points for Reliability Experience (on a scale of 100 to 1000), underscoring the network’s strength in delivering dependable service for essential mobile tasks.

While du managed to claim a single win in Availability, the difference between both operators remained minimal, with scores above 99 per cent.

World record for 5G uplink: A global first

Taking innovation to new heights, e& UAE set a world record by reaching 600Mbps uplink speed on a live 5G network. According to a WAM report, this breakthrough was achieved using advanced uplink 3Tx technology and FR1 band aggregation at 2100MHz and C-band.

“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,” said Abdulrahman Al Humaidan, vice president of Fixed Access Network at e& UAE.

The record paves the way for uplink-heavy applications in sectors such as smart manufacturing, AI logistics, and critical communications, marking a major leap toward 5G-Advanced adoption.

Enterprise-grade 5G slicing debuts in UAE

In May 2025, e& UAE launched the region’s first 5G network slicing solution for enterprise customers. The innovation delivers ultra-reliable, tailored connectivity for industries ranging from manufacturing to energy and government services.

Designed to align with the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031” digital vision, this slicing solution enables low-latency, high-priority data streams specific to business needs.

The launch follows e&’s evolution from 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) in 2019 to 5G Standalone (SA) in 2023, reflecting a sustained commitment to pushing telecom boundaries.

Ericsson deal to expand 5G RAN

To expand its capabilities, e& UAE signed a three-year agreement with Ericsson to enhance its 5G radio access network (RAN). The partnership aims to grow network capacity, extend 5G coverage, and prepare for future innovations such as 5G-Advanced.

Testing is already underway in the 600MHz and 6GHz bands. The 600MHz band has demonstrated superior long-range performance, up to 6km, while the higher band has achieved download speeds reaching 10Gbps, offering a glimpse into the future of ultra-fast mobile connectivity.

These technological advances are taking place against the backdrop of the UAE’s growing international recognition for its digital transformation strategy.

According to the United Nations E-Government Survey 2024, the UAE ranked first globally in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index, achieving a perfect score of 100 per cent. The ranking confirms the strength and reach of the country’s digital networks.

A WAM report emphasised that the UAE’s strategy puts people at the center, both as the beneficiaries and the drivers of digital transformation, helping secure top positions in global indices.

du also moves forward with 5G-Advanced

While e& leads the race, du is also progressing in 5G. It recently launched 5G-Advanced on its commercial network using 2.6GHz and 6GHz spectrum, achieving similar peak download speeds in some regions.

Mid-band frequencies in the 2.6GHz to 6GHz range are becoming the core of 5G across the GCC. With the shutdown of 2G networks at the end of 2023, operators like e& and du are reallocating spectrum to expand 5G coverage, particularly in underserved rural areas, enhancing access and lowering latency.

From world records to national awards and enterprise solutions, e& UAE is powering the country’s evolution into a global digital leader. Its investments in 5G and emerging technologies are not only advancing telecom but also enabling new economic opportunities and societal benefits.

As the UAE accelerates toward its digital future, e& remains the engine behind the nation’s push for connectivity, competitiveness, and innovation at scale.