United Arab Emirates – Leading Emirati telecom provider du has extended its partnership with Nokia to expand its 5G-Advanced network across the UAE. The new agreement strengthens du’s capability to introduce advanced network features and future-ready technologies, addressing growing demand and diverse customer needs.

Under this collaboration, Nokia will provide du with its 5G AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions, including baseband units, Massive MIMO Habrok radios, and Remote Radio Heads. This deployment will help du optimize its network’s energy efficiency while offering enhanced connectivity for consumers and businesses, supporting the telco’s sustainability vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.

Expanding Network Capabilities with 5G-Advanced

The partnership incorporates advanced 5G technologies, including enhanced mobile broadband, carrier aggregation, network slicing, and massive IoT connectivity. These features, along with edge computing, position du’s network to meet new applications for both consumers and enterprises, ensuring the UAE remains a leader in telecommunications innovation.

“This collaboration with Nokia allows us to push the boundaries of what’s possible with 5G, enhancing network efficiency, and exploring opportunities that bring real value to our customers and society,” said Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du. “These improvements are aligned with our goal of transforming digital connectivity in the UAE.”

Successful Trials and Technological Advancements

Earlier this year, du, in collaboration with Nokia and MediaTek, conducted a trial in Abu Dhabi to boost uplink performance on its 5G-Advanced network. The trial showed a 70% improvement in uplink speeds and expanded indoor coverage, which is particularly beneficial for high-demand applications like video conferencing and live streaming.

The trial leveraged advanced carrier aggregation technology across multiple frequency bands with TDD and FDD, and Nokia’s AirScale solutions were instrumental in enhancing network capacity and coverage. MediaTek’s T830 5G mobile FWA platform also played a key role in this successful demonstration.

Scaling 5G-Advanced Technology Nationwide

Du has set an ambitious roadmap for the nationwide rollout of 5G-Advanced technology. The plan includes deploying 5G-Advanced in Dubai by the end of this year, with further expansion into major UAE cities over the next few years and nationwide coverage anticipated by 2026.

In a separate initiative, du recently collaborated with Huawei to deploy the first indoor 5G-Advanced network in the Middle East, employing three-carrier aggregation technology. This milestone highlights du’s commitment to providing enhanced indoor coverage and ultra-fast connectivity across key locations in the region.

By working with global telecom leaders like Nokia and Huawei, du is not only improving its current network infrastructure but also paving the way for the next generation of digital services. This ongoing expansion underscores du’s role in driving the UAE’s digital transformation and supporting the nation’s vision for a connected, sustainable future.