Today's Edition
JESSI AMASON (ABU DHABI)
Technology’s biggest reach yet, the 6G era, promises to fuse the digital and physical worlds to transfer something entirely new: sensory experiences. Ever on the precipice of the cutting-edge, the UAE is closer than ever to making 6G a reality, with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) on Wednesday unveiling an extensive strategy to further the advancement of the sixth generation of mobile networks.
According to the TDRA Director-General, H.E. Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, the roadmap “aims for 6G to echo the successes of the previous generations of telecommunications, because of which, our country was consistently in a leading position, and inspired numerous others”.
Current estimates predict the technology to be available in the 7-10 year range, with the UAE poised to be the first among the world’s technology leaders to roll out the service.
Revolutionary FeaturesWith every iteration of internet and communications technology (ICT), the focus of each network changes. In the 1990s through the early 2000s, 2G and 3G technology came with the objective to facilitate human communication through phone calls and text messages. In the early 2010s, 4G ushered in the age of massive internet and data consumption, while the newest iteration, 5G targeted the much more advanced Internet of Things (IoT) and automation.
The new 6G technology promises unbelievable use cases, like the digital transmission of taste, touch, and smell - all with minimal latency and exceptional precision - across any two points in the world.
6G has immense potential for wide-ranging applications in artificial intelligence, network virtualisation, sensing, and comprehensive coverage. Expectations for true 6G services include steep advancements to capabilities in artificial intelligence and robotics, smart transport systems, and even remote surgery and diagnostics in the healthcare sector.
The technology is also expected to be around 100 times faster than 5G, meaning that networks can deliver the bandwidth necessary for companies to render 3D virtual realities in real-time, such as those envisioned by the metaverse.
A publication from Swedish ICT company Ericsson said that 6G technology could even allow electronic devices to operate battery-free by harvesting ambient energy from vibrations, light, temperature gradients, or radio-frequency waves.
According to TDRA, the realisation of these groundbreaking technologies necessitates a global availability of additional radio frequencies.
Current technology will also see improvements, the TDRA added, with 5G services to see improved efficiency in frequency spectrum utilisation, connection density, and traffic management.
In early 2024, the UAE’s two major telecommunications service providers, du and etisalat by e&, announced their advancements in 5.5G technology, known as “5G-Advanced”, to act as a bridge between the generations and lay the necessary infrastructural groundwork for 6G.
Strategic PlanThe UAE became the fourth country in the world to deploy 5G technology in 2018, and has continued to evolve the network technology ever since, with the current strategic plan bridging the gaps to 6G.
The roadmap disclosed by TDRA establishes a schedule, starting this year, with the vision of the widespread adoption of 6G services in the UAE before 2030.
The first step along the journey is the establishment of a committee, helmed by Khalifa University. The committee’s membership will include manufacturers, operators, and TDRA, with a mandate to conduct research and develop the technical standards and specifications needed to drive 6G forward.
The roadmap also outlines 6G experiments and plans for strategic partnerships among industrial, academic, and government entities. TDRA will provide the necessary frequencies and regulatory frameworks for the experiments.
The advanced spectrum management practices enabled by the “ICT Regulatory Sandbox”, launched on the sidelines of the World Government Summit 2023, will facilitate the objective, the TDRA said.
According to the TDRA, the roadmap is also in alignment with global sustainability goals, with the ultimate objective being to create a comprehensive, digitally integrated, and interconnected way of life in the years ahead. “This initiative aligns with the UAE’s unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability, digital inclusion, and enhancing security and privacy measures,” said Al Mesmar. “Additionally, it supports the UN SDGs, which urge countries to strive earnestly to bridge the digital divide and ensure widespread access to the Internet for the maximum number of individuals.”
“The 6G Roadmap aligns seamlessly with the futuristic directives of the UAE. It particularly resonates with the UAE Centennial 2071 and the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision,” said the TDRA Director-General. “These visionary frameworks, characterised by their pillars, aim to enhance the UAE’s global position as a hub for the new economy and the establishment of a Forward Ecosystem. TDRA, in collaboration with the telecom service providers and other entities, is committed to ensuring that 6G becomes a testament to the UAE’s continued leadership.”
H.E. Eng. Mohammed Al Ramsi, Deputy Director General of TDRA, added: “This plan signifies a turning point in the evolution of the telecommunications sector, as the support for 6G networks will unlock new and unprecedented use cases. It will enhance user experiences and facilitate innovative communication between individuals and devices.”
As the roadmap leads the country now into an era of testing, experimentation, and regulations shaping, the stage is set for the UAE to emerge as a 6G pioneer within the decade.
