UAE telecoms operators Etisalat, du start handing out first 5G handsets

UAE-based telecoms operator Etisalat and du have delivered their first 5G-enabled smartphones in the country.

Etisalat said it will offer 5G access on the ZTE Axon 10 Pro, offering speeds of up to 1Gbps and lower latency around 1 millisecond.

The devices are available for sale at Marina mall in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Mall. Users can also opt to buy with flexible smart pay plans on a 12, 18 or 24-month contract starting from Dhs241.

The operator also said the 5G network will be available for all its postpaid, prepaid, consumer and business customers using 5G devices.

Meanwhile rival du also said it was launching its first 5G devices in collaboration with ZTE.

A select group of du customers who preregistered from May 8 will receive the Axon Pro 10 handsets for free, dispatched to them directly, a statement said.

Developed with 5G technology, ZTE’s Axon Pro 10 device will offer speeds up to 20 times faster than 4G provided.

“Du will continue to bring further 5G-ready handsets over the next few weeks including the Huawei Mate x5G and ZTE Router to the UAE as they become available,” the company said in statement.

Offering speeds around 20 times faster than 4G and with ultra-low latency, 5G service will allow users to stream live 4K resolution video anywhere at any time, with virtually no lag.