du and Khalifa University have completed 6G field trials in Abu Dhabi. The tests, run on live macro infrastructure in Mohamed bin Zayed City, demonstrated outdoor coverage of up to 500 metres and downlink speeds close to 1.5 Gbps. The partnership aims to cement the UAE’s role as a hub for advanced technology.
Trial performance highlights
During the trials, the network achieved peak downlink speeds approaching 1.5 gigabits per second, a figure that places the UAE among the first in the region to validate upper‑mid‑band spectrum performance at scale. The outdoor coverage reached 500 metres, confirming that the live macro infrastructure can support high‑capacity 6G services.
“Through this partnership with du, Khalifa University is translating world‑class research into practical solutions that help shape the future of intelligent telecommunications,”
— Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University
He added that the collaboration strengthens “the UAE's position as a global hub for innovation, advanced technology and knowledge‑driven economic growth”.
The trials used the existing du network as a testbed, allowing researchers to assess real‑world performance without building a separate prototype. By operating on live macro cells, the study captured how 6G signals behave amid typical urban traffic, offering valuable data for future network design.
Strategic implications for the UAE
Du chief executive Fahad Al Hassawi praised the results, noting that they reinforce the company’s conviction to push the envelope of telecom systems. “Networks must evolve from infrastructure that connects, to infrastructure that understands the needs of our customers and the wider economy,” he said. “Our upper 6 GHz field results show that this future is not theoretical. It is being built today, on our existing network, and positions du to lead the region's transition towards AI‑native, autonomous telecom infrastructure.”
