Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
A record-breaking 6G terahertz pilot in Abu Dhabi has placed the UAE among the frontrunners of global 6G development, as e& UAE and NYU Abu Dhabi push the limits of next-generation speed and innovation.
The breakthrough marks a leap towards ultra-fast, responsive, and high-capacity connectivity that will transform both industry and daily life. The pilot achieved a peak throughput of 145 Gbps, demonstrating the extraordinary potential of THz technology.
“To put this into perspective, 6G will enable next-level experiences such as holographic meetings, multi-sensory extended reality (XR), and terabit-class data backhaul for smart cities and beyond,” Marwan Bin Shakar, Acting Chief Technology and Information Officer of e& UAE, told Aletihad.
While 6G promises unprecedented speeds, its true value lies in its adaptability and intelligence. “It is about building a resilient, intelligent network that can meet the needs of emerging technologies, from autonomous systems to real-time medical applications,” said Bin Shakar.
He noted that between 2025 and 2027, e& UAE plans further pilots and field trials to integrate the technology into existing infrastructure. By 2030, commercial 6G services are expected to be launched, beginning with hotspots in research institutions, hospitals, and innovation hubs.
“This vision builds on the UAE’s strong digital foundations and its investment in advanced infrastructure. A multi-layered spectrum strategy will combine different frequency bands to support both nationwide coverage and specialised localised applications,” he added.
From Healthcare to Mobility
According to Bin Shakar, one of the most transformative aspects of 6G is its potential to revolutionise healthcare.
He pointed out that with sub-millisecond latency and vast data capacity, it can enable tactile telemedicine, allowing surgeons to perform intricate procedures remotely using tactile feedback and robotic instruments.
The technology will drive the rise of medical digital twins - virtual replicas of patients that monitor vital signs - predict outcomes, and tailor treatment plans through continuous data exchange. Combined with more advanced wearable devices, it could transform preventive care and improve patient outcomes across the country, Bin Shakar explained.
“6G will enable a level of connectivity and intelligence that ensures equitable access to world-class care, wherever you are,” Bin Shakar said.
Autonomous vehicles, drones, and logistics networks will rely on dense, high-capacity communication layers that allow them to navigate and coordinate seamlessly, he added.
“For smart cities, the technology will unlock real-time data exchange across infrastructure, optimising traffic flows, supporting intelligent public transport, and powering city-scale digital twins that simulate and manage urban systems with unprecedented precision,” Bin Shakar said.
6G Rollout
The deployment of 6G in Abu Dhabi will follow a phased approach for maximum impact, he said, as the rollout will begin with THz hotspots in universities, hospitals, and innovative districts, locations that demand ultra-high capacity and low latency to power applications like extended reality, digital twins, and advanced telemedicine.
Next, e& UAE will expand FR3 spectrum capacity (7–24 GHz) across the city’s macro grid to strengthen coverage and enable seamless, high-speed connectivity on a citywide scale. This FR3 layer will serve as the backbone of the 6G network, supporting advanced use cases such as intelligent infrastructure and smart mobility, according to Bin Shakar.
He highlighted that the systems will be tied together by a fibre transport network to ensure stability and reliability, “where fibre is impractical, such as in dense urban areas or rooftops, E-band wireless links will bridge the final connections with speed and precision”.
As the technology matures and compatible devices become more widespread, 6G coverage will extend to industrial zones and large public venues, building a fully connected ecosystem of THz-enabled environments, Bin Shakar revealed.
“Abu Dhabi’s strategy balances innovation with practicality. By starting with high-impact campuses and scaling to industrial and public spaces, we are ensuring the UAE leads the world in next-generation connectivity,” he said.
