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 major milestone in the evolution of 5G-Advanced.

Read-UAE’s e& reports Dhs10.8bn in net profit in 2024

This achievement was enabled by aggregating FR1 bands at 2100MHz and C-band, paired with uplink 3Tx (three transmit antennas) on commercial Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) at a live 5G site. The deployment is fully compliant with 3GPP Release 17 standards, according to a WAM report.

This record-breaking uplink speed represents a cornerstone of 5G-Advanced, empowering uplink-heavy applications with unmatched performance. By leveraging FR1 band aggregation and cutting-edge uplink technology, e& UAE has established a new global benchmark for 5G excellence.

Abdulrahman Al Humaidan, Vice President of Fixed Access Network at e& UAE, stated: “e& UAE’s world-record 600Mbps uplink speed is a strategic step forward, catalysing a new era of hyper-fast, uplink-driven digital innovation. This is not just a technological milestone—it’s a launchpad for reshaping the digital world and solidifying the UAE’s role as a global tech leader.”

A new era for enterprise and smart infrastructure

The 600Mbps uplink enables a new wave of connectivity, enhancing uplink-intensive applications across both business and consumer landscapes. Enterprises can now enable real-time sensor data uploads in smart factories and logistics hubs, advancing AI-driven automation and predictive analytics.

Cloud-hosted collaboration will also benefit, supporting instant uploads for 3D modelling, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) workflows, driving the next wave of digital creativity.

Uplink-focused solutions like live video analytics, smart city monitoring, and drone surveillance will thrive, thanks to instant data uploads for mission-critical decisions.

Empowering everyday users in the 5G-advanced world

For consumers, this leap forward will transform digital lifestyles—allowing content creators to upload 8K videos and stream immersive content to platforms like YouTube and TikTok in seconds.

Gamers will enjoy lag-free cloud gaming, while smart homes will instantly upload high-definition footage and IoT data, boosting efficiency and responsiveness.

Applications such as virtual event hosting and user-generated AR content will flourish, offering faster, richer, and more immersive digital experiences.

Based on 3GPP Release 17, this deployment takes advantage of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), laying the groundwork for scalable, energy-efficient 5G networks.

With this successful deployment on a commercial CPE and a live 5G site, e& UAE has demonstrated its ability to turn vision into reality. By optimizing FR1 2100MHz and C-band with Uplink 3Tx, the company is paving the way toward a hyper-connected future.

Once such CPEs become widely available, e& will be well-positioned to empower both consumers and enterprises with next-generation connectivity.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has laid the foundation stone for the first station on the Dubai Metro’s Blue Line.

Read-RTA planning new Dubai Metro Gold Line

The announcement was made on the Dubai Ruler’s official X account.

The Blue Line is projected to generate total benefits of Dhs56bn.

The station will become a new landmark in Dubai and will be the first on the Blue Line.

The line will extend 30 kilometers, bringing the total length of Dubai’s rail network to 131 kilometers with 78 stations.

The Dubai Metro Blue Line will significantly enhance mobility across the city by connecting key residential and commercial areas, including Dubai Creek Harbour, Festival City, Mirdif, and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

The line will feature a combination of underground and elevated tracks, with a total of 14 stations along its 30-kilometer route. It will include three major interchange stations: Al Khor (Green Line), Centrepoint (Red Line), and International City (1).

One of the standout features of the project is a signature station at Dubai Creek Harbour, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), which will showcase a unique architectural style.

This station is expected to become a key focal point and will be designed to handle 160,000 passengers daily by 2040.

The Blue Line will also include the Dubai Metro’s first-ever crossing over Dubai Creek via a 1,300-metre bridge, adding a striking visual and functional element to the project.

Benefits of the Blue Line

The Blue Line is expected to reduce road congestion in key areas by 20 per cent, boost property values near stations by up to 25 per cent, and directly connect major hubs like Dubai International Airport (DXB) to residential areas. Al Tayer noted that the new line will offer more efficient travel times—ranging from 10 to 25 minutes — across various neighborhoods.

It will also be integrated into Dubai’s broader urban planning strategy, including the ‘20-Minute City’ initiative, which aims to ensure over 80 per cent of services are accessible within a 20-minute commute.

The Blue Line is designed to serve areas expected to house nearly one million residents by 2040, including key developments like Dubai Creek Harbour, Festival City, and International City.

Etihad Airways and Ethiopian Airlines on Monday announced a new codeshare partnership, as part of a broader plan to implement a joint venture that was announced in March 2025.

From 15 July, Ethiopian Airlines will begin flights between Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport. Etihad will follow with daily services to Addis Ababa from 8 October.

The codeshare allows passengers to book a single itinerary with one check-in and baggage transfer, while providing access to more than 75 destinations across both networks.

Etihad customers will gain access to Ethiopian’s African network, including destinations such as Kigali, Harare, Lusaka and Victoria Falls. Ethiopian passengers, in turn, can connect via Abu Dhabi to key Etihad destinations such as Colombo, Krabi, Sydney and Phnom Penh.

Read more: Etihad, Ethiopian Airlines to launch Abu Dhabi-Addis Ababa flights

“This partnership allows us to unlock seamless travel opportunities between Africa and Asia, Australia and the Middle East,” said Arik De, chief revenue and commercial officer at Etihad.

Joint venture in motion

The codeshare marks the first phase of a deeper joint venture between the two carriers.

In an interview with Gulf Business earlier this year, Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves said the partnership will evolve beyond codeshare into full joint operations.

“In a joint venture, revenue is shared equally, and there are no restrictions on how many seats each airline can sell on the other’s flights,” he explained.

“We’re fast-tracking the partnership so customers benefit sooner.”

Read more: Etihad CEO on growth, IPO talk and Ethiopian Airlines tie-up

Neves added that the agreement forms part of Etihad’s wider strategy to expand global ties.

“It enables us to offer customers more travel options to Africa, while Ethiopian customers gain access to Etihad’s extensive network.”

Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest carrier by passengers, fleet size and destinations.

Group CEO Mesfin Tasew called the collaboration “a milestone in enhancing connectivity between Africa, the Middle East and Asia.”

He noted that Abu Dhabi will become the airline’s third UAE destination after Dubai and Sharjah.

The agreement follows a strong year for Etihad. In 2024, the airline posted a Dhs1.7bn ($476m) profit after tax on Dhs25.3bn ($6.9bn) in total revenue, with passenger numbers rising 32 per cent to 18.5 million.

Etihad added over 1,700 weekly flights and launched 20 new destinations during the year, including Boston, Jaipur, Bali and Nairobi. Its fleet also grew by 12 aircraft.

The GCC is making bold strides toward a more sustainable future, with companies increasingly prioritising environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. Yet a critical challenge looms: the widening green skills gap threatens to slow momentum and hinder the region’s ambitious goals.

Organisations across the region are recognising the need to scale their ESG capabilities, not only to build long-term resilience, but also to drive value creation.

At the same time, governments are rolling out national net-zero agendas and introducing new regulatory frameworks to accelerate ESG adoption. There is a growing consensus that strong ESG performance is essential for organisations to stay competitive and appealing to investors, customers, and other key stakeholders.

As economic diversification and decarbonisation efforts take root, GCC countries are embracing advances in AI and automation to fast-track their green transition. This shift has driven a surge in demand for sustainability and ESG professionals, particularly those with expertise in climate risk management, sustainable finance, and corporate governance.

ESG outlook: Green job growth is outstripping workforce readiness

However, talent pipelines are struggling to keep pace. Green job growth is outstripping workforce readiness, with a shortage of skills threatening to stall progress. In fact, a PwC report reveals that one in three business leaders in the GCC cite a lack of internal skills and expertise as a top barrier to achieving ESG goals.

The LinkedIn Global Green Skills Report 2024 underscores the urgency. Between 2023 and 2024, global demand for green talent grew twice as fast as supply—rising by 11.6 per cent compared to just 5.6 per cent growth in supply. By 2030, one in five jobs globally could lack qualified green talent. And by 2050, the gap may widen to one in two roles unless the green talent pool doubles.

Green skills are not only in demand — they’re also proving to be a hiring advantage. According to LinkedIn, candidates with green skills or titles are hired at a rate 54.6 per cent higher than the workforce average.

Despite this, a clear generational gap is emerging: while 61 per cent of Gen Z workers globally aspire to work in a green job within the next five years, only 1 in 20 currently possess green skills, and less than half have access to relevant training programs.

The shortage spans both technical and soft skills, from renewable energy engineering, carbon accounting, and environmental management to collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Companies increasingly view green capabilities not as a “nice to have” but as business-critical for attracting investment, meeting regulatory requirements, and remaining competitive in a fast-evolving global economy.

Another PwC report from 2024 highlights structural challenges: many organizations lack access to customized training programmes, and educational institutions are struggling to keep pace with evolving skill demands. Without the right tools and partnerships to assess and close this capability gap, it will only widen further.

Addressing this challenge will require a coordinated effort across governments, businesses, and educational institutions. Encouragingly, GCC countries are stepping up, launching upskilling programs and forging partnerships with global organizations to develop the workforce of the future. Initiatives like fintech hubs, innovation accelerators, and entrepreneurship incubators are also helping attract and retain top talent, especially among youth.

Specific national initiatives are helping drive this momentum. The UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050, for instance, aims to significantly expand clean energy capacity, triple the contribution of renewables, and create 50,000 green jobs by 2030.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 places sustainability at the heart of its economic diversification agenda, increasing demand for a workforce skilled in renewable energy, green technologies, and sustainable tourism.

Vital to learn news tools to thrive

With nearly half the region’s population under the age of 24, and 61 per cent of employees in the Middle East recognising the need to learn new tools and technologies to thrive in their roles, the urgency is clear. Gen Z remains particularly underserved when it comes to green skills, making it imperative to prioritize training for this cohort.

Online learning platforms offer a scalable, accessible solution. Through flexible training pathways, they can deliver targeted skill development in areas such as climate risk, renewable energy, and sustainable finance, empowering individuals and organisations to lead the green transition.

Educational institutions also play a vital role. By integrating ESG into core curricula — embedding CSR into marketing and finance programs, for instance—and offering specialized training aligned to regional needs, they can prepare learners to meet the GCC’s unique sustainability challenges.

To realise its ESG ambitions, the GCC must close the green skills gap. Government policies are laying a strong foundation, but businesses and educators must move in lockstep to equip the workforce with the practical, job-ready skills needed to implement sustainability at scale. This will be key to unlocking long-term growth, innovation, and resilience across the region.

The writer is Coursera’s GM for the Middle East and Africa.

Read: Want to enhance your career prospects? Coursera’s CEO shares key tips

ONE Development, the UAE’s leading AI-driven lifestyle developer, and global music icon Amr Diab have launched DO Hotels & Residences Dubai, the region’s first AI-powered, music-themed boutique hotel under the ONE/AD brand.

The project marks a flagship destination for a new hospitality concept that blends immersive soundscapes, cutting-edge technology, and bold design.

“DO Hotels & Residences Dubai is more than a hospitality project – it’s a symbol of what the future holds when innovation, art and technology come together,” said Ali Al Gebely, founder and chairman of ONE Development and vice chairman of ONE/AD.

“Partnering with Amr Diab to create an experience where guests can truly ‘Live the Beat’ reflects our commitment to shaping the next generation of lifestyle destinations, right here in the UAE,” he added.

“Every element of DO Hotels & Residences – Dubai Islands is thoughtfully crafted to appeal to adventurous travellers, connoisseurs of a soulful ambiance and those seeking a more permanent, immersive living experience, while enjoying the expansive panoramic sea, city and marina views,” he added.

Do Hotels & Residences: Highlights

The hotel and residences offer a range of experiences, from well appointed rooms to spacious, design-led living spaces.

Facilities include two fully equipped recording studios and a suite of world-class amenities.

“Every space is designed to be an extension of our guests’ aspirations: a place where music is not just heard, it permeates the very fabric of your life,” said Al Gebely.

Rooted in Amr Diab’s creative vision and his ethos of “Live the Beat,” the brand delivers AI-powered personalisation across luxury hospitality, wellness, and design.

Watch: ONE Development’s Ali Al Gebely is focused on innovation and technology across his projects