Why the UAE is closer to rolling out 6G

Using a 6G mobile network could be just a matter of years away as UAE mobile network provider, etisalat by e&, has announced plans to unveil what is regarded as the one of the final versions of 5G in the country.

This is according to a white paper that has just been published this week by etisalat by e& entitled “5G-Advanced: The Future of Wireless Communications in the UAE”. The telecoms player says it plans to launch 5G-Advanced in the Emirates in 2025/26 and this will specifically consist of version 18 and 19 of 5G. Industry experts have outlined how both version 18 and 19 of 5G are set to be the final iterations of this super-fast network before officially starting the 6G technoloy era.

5G-Advanced is regarded as laying the neccessary infrastructure and technological groundwork for 6G. A further infographic in the network’s white paper highlights how by the 2030s, 6G will start becoming the norm while 2G/3G/4G/5G/5G-Advanced networks will become legacy technology.

But the experts at etisalat by e& highlight how more radio spectrum will be required to achieve this.

“In anticipation of the 6G vision, the landscape requires additional spectrum beyond 2025-2030. Approximately 1.5-2.2 GHz of spectrum is projected to be essential for 6G, particularly in the 7-15 GHz centimetric range, ensuring the attainment of performance objectives,” say the authors.

Major features of 5G-Advanced

The benefits of 5G-Advanced are significant, as highlighted by etisalat by e& in its white paper, and include the following:

• Higher Speeds (10Gbps DL / 1Gbps UL): 5G-Advanced drives connectivity to new heights with swift download speeds of 10Gbps and upload speeds of 1Gbps, ensuring seamless data transfer for the most demanding applications.
• Lower Latency and Ultra Reliability (99.9%): 5G-Advanced introduces lower latency and ultra-reliability, with a 99.9 per cent reliability rate. This enables real-time interactions and applications requiring reliability.
• Better Device Positioning (<10cm): 5G-Advanced enhances device positioning to sub-10cm accuracy, unlocking applications that demand precise location accuracy.
• Synchronisation as a Service (Time Sensitive Network): Time-sensitive applications benefit from 5GAdvanced’s synchronisation as a service, ensuring that critical time-sensitive networks operate seamlessly.
• Enhanced Reduced Capacity (RedCap 5MHz to 20MHz): 5G-Advanced introduces RedCap, expanding reduced capacity options from 5MHz to 20MHz, offering greater flexibility in adapting to diverse network demands.
• Passive-IoT (Sensors without Batteries): 5G-Advanced introduces passive-IoT, enabling sensors without batteries to operate efficiently and sustainably.
• Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): This introduces a new phase of radio access optimisation, introducing a new range of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for enhanced network performance.

Societal, business benefits

Apart from much faster download speeds and improved latency, 5G-Advanced further has a range of other societal and business benefits, according to etisalat by e&. This chiefly include the following:

• Consumer Extended Reality (XR): 5G-Advanced transforms consumer experiences with extended reality applications, bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds.
• Cloud Gaming: Gamers brings 5G-Advanced brings cloud gaming to the forefront, offering high-quality, lag-free gaming experiences.
• Live High-Quality Video Streaming: Consumers enjoy high-quality video streaming in real-time, courtesy of 5G-Advanced’s enhanced capabilities.
• 5G Based Wearables: Wearable technology reaches new heights with 5G-Advanced, providing seamless connectivity for smartwatches, fitness trackers, and more.
• Video Surveillance with Built-in 5G Modem: Enhanced security is achieved with video surveillance systems featuring built-in 5G modems, ensuring reliable and high-speed data transmission.
• Full Autonomous Vehicles: Businesses enter the era of full autonomous vehicles, powered by the low latency and reliability of 5G-Advanced.
• Industrial Automation: Industrial processes are optimised with advanced automation solutions enabled by the capabilities of 5G-Advanced.
• Asset Tracking: Precise asset tracking enhances efficiency in logistics and supply chain operations.
• Positioning for Public Safety: Public safety is strengthened with precise positioning, ensuring rapid and accurate response in emergencies.
• Industrial IoT: The Industrial IoT (IIoT) thrives with 5G-Advanced, enabling smart and connected industrial ecosystems.

Other interesting features of 5G-Advanced will be benefits for the network itself. For example, etisalat by e& highlights how this technology will introduce a more energy-efficient Radio Access Network (RAN), aligning with sustainability goals. Added to this, the network will also be able carry out what is called “advanced self-healing”, thereby minimising downtime and ensuring continuous service availability.

Finally, 5G-Advanced will further allow for predictive maintenance, helping operators anticipate and address issues before they impact performance.

“The evolution of spectrum from 2022 to beyond 2030 illustrates a dynamic landscape adapting to the requirements of advancing wireless technologies. The strategic allocation and utilisation of spectrum bands align with the trajectory of 5G-Advanced and lay the groundwork for the anticipated demands of 6G,” say the authors.

“As 5G-Advanced gains prominence in telecommunications, it extends beyond traditional connectivity boundaries, introducing, an era characterised by expanded services and broader horizons,” they add.